Delhi deputy CM, 51 MLAs detained, let off

NEW DELHI: A pitched battle between the AAP and the Centre spilled over into a second day as police detained deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and 51 other legislators protesting near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Sunday. The AAP decided to march to the PM’s residence after police received a complaint against Sisodia late on Saturday.

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The MLAs said they went to “surrender” in protest against the so-called unjustified arrests of a string of party legislators, especially Dinesh Mohaniya who was picked up by police in the middle of a presser on Saturday. “If Modi ji wants to play politics with AAP MLAs, arrest all of us together,” Sisodia said when the they were released after three hours.

Police said the lawmakers were arrested for violating prohibitory orders and told the MLAs after their release that no action will be taken against the deputy CM. The arrests came as PM’s Mann ki Baat radio show had just started.

Mohaniya, the legislator from Sangam Vihar, was held on molestation charges on Saturday but the manner of arrest prompted chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to accuse Modi of unleashing an “emergency” in Delhi. Tensions mounted between the two sides recently over a clutch of key bills that the AAP says the Centre blocked out of spite. The home ministry has denied the charges and said the delay was because proper procedure wasn’t followed.

The two sides also faced off over the murder of a civic body official with the AAP demanding the arrest of lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung who “forwarded” a letter purportedly submitted by BJP MP Maheish Girri. Kejriwal has repeatedly accused Modi of using the police to destablise the city administration and Mohaniya’s arrest provided him fresh ammunition.

“So many important bills have sent back by the Centre. Pass them and arrest us if you want,” Sisodia said. “They (Centre) won’t work or let us work but will arrest our MLAs.” This was the latest flash point in a protracted battle between the AAP and Centre over Delhi’s reins. The AAP accuses Modi of trying to rule the city by proxy through Jung, who reports to the home ministry.

The Centre rejects Kejriwal’s charges and says the city government refuses to go by set procedures. Both sides have been locked in showdowns over officer placement, files and control of the police – the disputes arising from Delhi’s unique position as a union territory where the Centre and state governments share administrative responsibility.

At the centre of the fight is Delhi Police that report to the home ministry, a fact Kejriwal holds responsible for rising crime in the Capital. But the detention sparked condemnation from the BJP that said the AAP had plunged the city into a constitutional crisis. “Kejriwal gang has shamed the democracy. We never knew Kejriwal can stoop as low as to defend a colleague accused of molesting women,” said Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay.

Police said they advised the AAP against the march — for which no permission was allegedly sought — and informed them of prohibitory orders clamped around Modi’s residence.

“They were requested instead of marching towards 7 RCR, they hold their protests at Jantar Mantar. But despite our notifications, they continued with their initial plan and were detained,” said SBK Singh, special commissioner of police (law and order, North). The police said the complaint against Sisodia was different from that against Mohaniya, who was arrested because he didn’t join the investigation.

“We got a complaint from Ghazipur but it doesn’t involve any cognizable offence. Delhi Police clarifies no legal action will be taken,” said Delhi Police chief spokesperson Taj Hassan.