Thousands of Congress workers came out on streets in different parts of the Capital demanding immediate constitution of Lok Pal for Delhi. Led by Dehi Congress president and former Union Minister Ajay Maken, the workers staged dharnas at 14 locations – two in each of the seven parliamentary constituencies – and raised slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party government.
“In the absence of Lok Pal, there is no proper forum to inquire into corruption charges against AAP Ministers and MLAs,” Mr. Maken said.
“We would intensify the agitation and take the protest to every Assembly constituency and ward if the anti-corruption watchdog was not constituted within 15 days.”
Carrying banners and placards and with slogans such as “Tomar, Manoj to jhanki hai, 27 Vidhayak baaki hai”, “Lok Pal lao, brashtachar mitao”, Mr. Maken along with AICC in-charge of Delhi P.C. Chacko and AICC secretary Kuljit Nagra went around the dharna venues and addressed the protestors. A number of former MLAs, municipal councillors, and district and block Congress committee presidents also addressed the dharnas.
Mr. Maken said the 49-day AAP government had resigned in February 2014 alleging that it was not being allowed to pass the Jan Lok Pal Bill. It is the same party which is now cagey about constituting a Lok Pal after returning at the helm for a second time.
He alleged that it was the AAP which had boasted that it would eradicate corruption in Delhi if it came to power, but was now shying away from constituting Lok Pal or appointing a Lokayukta.
“What is holding up the AAP government, which has come back to power with absolute majority, from constituting the Lok Pal now?,” Mr. Maken said.
“We would take
the protest to
every Assembly constituency and ward if the anti-corruption watchdog was not constituted within 15 days”