Kejriwal meets Modi, discusses Delhi violence, coronavirus

In his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday (March 3), after returning to power for a record third time, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to him to take stern action against all those responsible for the Delhi violence, irrespective of whichever party they may be affiliated to.

Talking to reporters after the meeting Kejriwal said, “I told him (PM Modi) that we should try and ensure that such riots do not happen again in the national capital. Those who are responsible for the clashes – whether they belong to any party – should not be spared, I appealed to the Prime Minister.”

Emphasising that several lives could have been saved had the police acted promptly he said, “Delhi police acted in a swift manner to control the situation when rumours were spread on Sunday night. Had police acted with the same efficiency on Monday and Tuesday, last week, when riots were confined to a district, so many lives could have been saved.”

When asked what the Prime Minister’s response was he said, “The Prime Minister also agreed that such violent incidents should not be repeated in Delhi,” he said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Delhi Police acted in a swift manner to control the situation when rumours were spread on Sunday night. Had police acted with the same efficiency on Monday & Tuesday last week when riots were confined in a district, so many lives could have been saved. https://t.co/cylMaDduRM

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2020

Answering a question on “hate speeches’ of political leaders, the Delhi Chief Minister said that the issue was not discussed specifically.

As many as 47 lives were lost and over 200 injured in the large scale mayhem that rocked northeast Delhi for four days.

Also, almost 122 houses, 322 shops and 301 vehicles were gutted in the riots which raged through northeast Delhi for more than three days, leaving 47 dead and 350 injured, news reports claimed quoting an interim report filed by north-east Delhi district administration.

Kejriwal also discussed the spread of the deadly coronavirus with Modi and the need to combat the disease unitedly.

Revealing that preparations for rehabilitating coronavirus patients are on he said, “One case has been reported been in Delhi, another in Telangana. It’s a lethal disease spreading across the world.”

On February 25, Home Minister Amit Shah had discussed the situation with the Delhi chief minister and leaders of various parties.

The AAP formed government returned to power in the recently held assembly polls by winning 62 of the 70 seats. The remaining eight went to the BJP in Delhi with the other contender namely the Congress drawing a blank for a second time in a row.

(With inputs from agencies)