BJP has launched 'Operation Jhaadu' to suppress AAP: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (May 19) alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could send anyone he wished to jail.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief who is planning a march to the BJP headquarters along with senior party leaders alleged that the BJP saw AAP as a threat, prompting what he termed "Operation Jhaadu" - a concerted campaign to undermine his party.

Kejriwal said that the operation involved arresting prominent AAP leaders, seizing the party's bank accounts, and shutting down their offices.

'Operation Jhaadu'

Kejriwal alleged that since he got bail, the prime minister has not stopped talking against the AAP.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is worried about the rise of the AAP. The party has risen too fast. They have started 'Operation Jhaadu' to crush the party. In the coming time, our bank accounts will be frozen, and we will be brought on the road since our office will also be taken away," he said.

"There will be bigger challenges ahead. Please be ready to face them. Remember one thing we faced many challenges in the past. We have the blessings of Lord Hanuman and God. We would have not survived these. Walk on the path of truth. We want to work for the society," he told supporters.

Heightened tensions

The recent arrest of Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar, linked to an alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal, heightened tensions between AAP and the BJP. Kejriwal alleged that further arrests were planned, including those of another AAP MP Raghav Chadha and Delhi ministers Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj.

He added that the BJP thought it could do away with AAP but insisted that the latter was not just a party but a force representing millions of people.

'Systemic targeting of AAP'

The Delhi chief minister also accused Modi of systematically targeting AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh by sending them to jail on various charges. He challenged the notion that the Aam Aadmi Party could be crushed by putting its leaders in jail.

Kejriwal claimed that AAP had provided free electricity and water, saving money with honesty. He insisted that these achievements set AAP apart from the BJP's actions.

Kejriwal also said that AAP had focused on improving schools and clinics, fostering positivity everywhere. He stressed the resilience of AAP’s ideology, stating that it couldn't be diminished or halted, and that it was spreading nationwide. He suggested that if one Kejriwal was detained, numerous others would emerge in the country.

'No major recovery'

Regarding BJP's accusations about the alleged liquor policy scam, the Delhi Chief Minister queried the whereabouts of any seized funds. He insisted that even in the Supreme Court, it was acknowledged that no major recovery had been made. He questioned the logic behind not recovering any money despite claims of a scam involving huge amounts.

Kejriwal, who had been arrested in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy scam, had been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court until June 1, allowing him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. However, he was required to surrender and return to jail on June 2, just after the final phase of polling.

Kejriwal, who is out on interim bail in the excise policy case, had said on Saturday that he and other AAP leaders would go to the BJP headquarters on May 19 "so that the prime minister can send anyone he wishes to jail".

March to BJP headquarters

"We will peacefully march to the BJP headquarters and if the police stop us, we will sit at that spot. We will wait for half an hour and see if they arrest us. If they do not arrest us, it will be their defeat. You can send us all in jail and see for yourself if the party ends or it rises more," he said.

The Delhi Police has beefed up security in and around the BJP headquarters here in view of a protest announced by AAP's national convenor and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal there on Sunday, officials said.

Traffic cops issue advisory

The traffic police have also issued an advisory in view of the protest planned outside the BJP office at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, while entry and exit have been disallowed at the nearest ITO metro station.

"In view of the proposed protest by a political party at DDU Marg Delhi, Traffic will remain heavy at DDU Marg, IP Marg, Minto Road and Vikas Marg. DDU marg may be closed for traffic movement between 11 am to 2 pm. Kindly avoid these roads and plan your journey accordingly," the traffic police in a post on X.

A senior police officer said security at the BJP headquarters has been heightened as a precautionary measure.

"An adequate number of police personnel has been deployed and the area (around BJP office) has been barricaded," said the police officer.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed ITO Metro Station, which is near the office, for entry and exit.

(With agency inputs)