AAP protest HIGHLIGHTS | Centre choking federal system, all democratic people are with Arvind Kejriwal, say four non-BJP Chief Ministers

Delhi's Lt. Governor Baijal earlier denied permission to Banerjee for meeting her Delhi counterpart who is on a protest at the Lt Governor's office-cum-residence, Raj Niwas.

NEW DELHI: Four non-BJP chief ministers today expressed solidarity with their Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, visiting his home and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention on issues over which he is on a sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor's office. (READ FULL REPORT HERE)

West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka's H D Kumaraswamy, Andhra Pradesh's Chandrababu Naidu and Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan reached the chief minister's residence in the evening. They also wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal seeking an appointment with him.

Kejriwal and three Cabinet colleagues have been staying put in a waiting room at Raj Niwas, protesting against what they call is a strike by the bureaucrats in the national capital.

During a joint press conference after meeting Kejriwal's family members, Banerjee said there is a "consitutitional crisis" in Delhi. She said people should not suffer due to any 'political crisis' brought about by any political party.

The four chief ministers are in Delhi to attend NITI Aayog meeting to be held tomorrow.

The chief ministers sought Baijal's permission to meet him around 9 pm and make a representation on the issues concerning the sit-in.

Kejriwal accompanied by his deputy Manish Sisodia and ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai is on a dharna at the LG's office since Monday, demanding that Baijal direct IAS officers to end the "strike".

Banerjee also wanted permission to meet Kejriwal, but AAP said that Baijal has denied it.

On denial of permission by the Lt Governor, Kejriwal tweeted:

I don’t think Hon’ble LG can take such a decision on his own. Obviously, PMO has directed him to refuse permission. Just like IAS strike is being done at PMO’s instance. https://t.co/hKEe99s8Fp

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 16, 2018
 

(With inputs from PTI)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu during a meeting with wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunita at her residence in New Delhi on June 16 2018. (PTI Photo)

(L-R) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the media at Arvind Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi on June, 16 2018. (EPS| Shekhar Yadav)

(L-R) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the media at Arvind Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi on June, 16 2018. (EPS| Shekhar Yadav)

(L-R) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the media at Arvind Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi on June, 16 2018. (EPS| Shekhar Yadav)

(L-R) West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu addressing the media at Arvind Kejriwal's residence in New Delhi on June, 16 2018. (EPS| Shekhar Yadav)

We will tell the PM to intervene in this matter and solve it. Had the President been here, we would have told him too. This is a democracy and that is how a democracy functions: WB CM Mamata Banerjee in Delhi pic.twitter.com/82J5r5nGrE

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

We came here to show our support to Delhi CM. We demand that the Prime Minister interferes in this issue & takes necessary steps to solve this problem: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy in Delhi pic.twitter.com/6CYoVTUWox

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

Mamata Banerjee says a written request was sent to seek an audience with the Delhi L-G but that they were still not allowed to meet him; says they waited for hours on a festival day (Eid).

I wanted to meet Delhi CM but I was told, verbally and not even written, that permission will not be granted. Then four of us wrote to LG for appointment but we were told that he (LG) is not even there. We waited so long but we were not allowed: WB CM Mamata Banerjee in Delhi pic.twitter.com/xU2zUeP5Ob

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

Because of the attitude of Central govt this happened. Centre is restricting the federal system which is a threat to the nation. Everyone is with him (Delhi CM). All the democratic people are with Delhi CM: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in Delhi pic.twitter.com/ihizBaO50B

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee speaks

She asks why the matter has been dragged for six days; says a solution needs to be found immediately. Points out that it (the constituitional crisis) is directly affecting the public.

There are 2 Crore people in Delhi. The work has been disrupted since 4 months, there can be nothing more unfortunate than this. LG is the appointed leader, if not he then to whom will one to go to seek time & talk?: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Fjd35nmHlW

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

The Chief Ministers begin their media address

We came here to express our support to Delhi CM. The LG has to allow this govt to function. Mamata Ji had asked permission from the LG to see the CM to which there was no response: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi pic.twitter.com/R4a5nURuEJ

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

The CMs reach Kejriwal's house

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan & Karanataka CM HD Kumaraswamy arrive at Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence. pic.twitter.com/TAIVmqo08y

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

The four non-BJP CMs request audience with the Delhi L-G

Kerala CM P Vijayan, Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu & WB CM Mamata Banerjee write to Lieutenant Guv Anil Baijal, write 'Would like to make representation to you with respect to issues concerning Delhi CM'. They've sought an appointment for 9 pm today. pic.twitter.com/e4qITNH6oB

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2018

AAP leader Raghav Chadha tweets on 'sad state of affairs'

"West Bengal CM @MamataOfficial sought permission to meet CM @ArvindKejriwal, LG mercilessly denied permission.

CMs of WB, AP, Karnataka, Kerala are on their way to CM residence.
After meeting AK's family they will proceed to LG office."- @raghav_chadha pic.twitter.com/y5SWpxyiGq

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) June 16, 2018

Kejriwal reacts on the denial of permission

I don’t think Hon’ble LG can take such a decision on his own. Obviously, PMO has directed him to refuse permission. Just like IAS strike is being done at PMO’s instance. https://t.co/hKEe99s8Fp

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 16, 2018

Delhi LG denies Mamata permission to meet Kejriwal

Delhi's Lt. Governor Baijal earlier today denied permission to Mamata Banerjee for meeting her Delhi counterpart who is on a protest at the Lt Governor's office-cum-residence, Raj Niwas.

Background

Kejriwal, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Cabinet ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai, is camping at Raj Niwas since Monday demanding a direction to the IAS officers working in the Delhi administration to end their undeclared strike. He also wants the central government to approve his government's proposal to deliver ration to the poor at their houses.

AAP dharna: Day 6

On Day 6 of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's dharna amid his ongoing strife with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu have met and discussed and discussed their strategies to extend their support to the Aam Aadmi Party chief at his residence.