AAP alleges leaders detained, placed under house arrest ahead of planned protest against BJP

Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday (Feb 2) alleged that some of its top leaders and MLAs were illegally detained and placed under house arrest ahead of the party’s planned protest against the national ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

Delhi Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohd Iqbal have been placed under house arrest, alleged top AAP leader Gopal Rai. Headded that some of their councillors and MLAs were also detained as they planned to stage a protest outside BJP headquarter in New Delhi in the wake of alleged fraud in Chandigarh mayor elections that BJP won.

Heavy police presence across Central Delhi

Meanwhile, a heavy police presence was observed on Friday across central Delhi as both BJP and AAP planned protests against each other. BJP said it was protesting against ‘corruption’ by the AAP party.

Citing police deployment, AAP leader Gopal Rai said BJP was scared of AAP’s protest.

“Currently, many of our MLAs have been put under house arrest including Delhi Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Delhi’s Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohmmad Iqbal,” said Rai.

He demanded immediate release of all detained leaders.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that their right to hold peaceful protests against the BJP was being curtailed by the authorities.

In a post on X, Kejriwal said, "First votes were stolen in the Chandigarh mayoral elections. Now, people coming to protest peacefully against this are being stopped at various places across Delhi."

Watch:US approves sale of armed drones to India for nearly $4 billion

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi said, "Heavy barricading all across Delhi. Buses full of AAP volunteers being detained. Hundreds of para-military forces outside the AAP office." "Why is the BJP so scared of a protest on the Chandigarh mayoral elections?".

Controversy over Chandigarh mayor elections

The mayor election in Chandigarh took place on Tuesday (Jan 30), which was won by BJP as its candidate secured 16 votes while the AAP party candidates could manage only12.

However, the ruckus erupted after eight of the opposition votes were declared invalid. Opposition councillors alleged ballot tampering after invalidation of eight votes. The BJP has rejected the allegations.

(With inputs from agencies)