AAP's Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia hospitalized on Day-6 of hunger-strike
Six days after launching an indefinite hunger strike, Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain was rushed to hospital yesterday after his health deteriorated. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who started a fast a day later, was hospitalized today. Doctors at LNJP Hospital have confirmed Jain is stable. Sisodia is under observation for now. Yesterday, thousands joined an AAP protest march to PM Narendra Modi's residence.
Kejriwal reports on Jain's status
How it all began
Monday evening, Kejriwal, along with Sisodia and AAP leaders Gopal Rai and Jain, visited L-G Anil Baijal's office. Their prime demands were action against striking IAS officers, directions for them to return to work, and approval of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme. They have refused to leave till the L-G obliges. Jain and Sisodia launched an indefinite fast.
L-G, bureaucrats dismiss allegations, claim work continuing normally
The L-G's office dismissed the claims, blaming the Delhi Cabinet for not maintaining relations with bureaucrats. IAS officers too denied any strike. "Secretaries are regularly submitting weekly reports...Copies are marked to the CM and LG," they said. However, they admitted officers aren't "attending routine meetings called by ministers and the CM," citing fear of attack after the alleged assault of Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash.
Thousands of AAP supporters marched for their demands yesterday
Yesterday, AAP launched a rally from Mandi House metro station, but they were stopped midway. Four opposition CMs- Mamata Banerjee, HD Kumaraswamy, Pinarayi Vijayan and N Chandrababu Naidu- lent their support. Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, current BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha, and CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury also backed AAP. Addressing media yesterday, IAS officers iterated they aren't striking, and are being used for "political reasons."
'Officers are a part of my family': Kejriwal assures support
Responding to officers' statement, Kejriwal said they're "part of my family." "I'd urge them to stop boycott of elected government, return to work and start attending meetings, respond to calls and messages and join them for inspections. They should work without fear or pressure. "
Meanwhile, Delhi HC asks AAP who permitted sit-in protest
The Delhi HC heard a petition against AAP's sit-in protest today, asking who had permitted them to strike inside someone's office. "You are sitting inside the L-G's office. If it's a strike, it has to be outside the office," the court observed. So far, the Center hasn't intervened in this turf war despite Kejriwal writing to him seeking urgent intervention.
