AAP preparing to intensify agitation against Delhi L-G Anil Baijal

In a symbolic protest, AAP leaders from all 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi sent ration packets to the prime minister's residence to make a point that Baijal should clear the ration delivery props

Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain during their ongoing sit-in protest at L-G Anil Baijals residence, in New Delhi | PTI

NEW DELHI: As Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's 'dharna' at the office of L-G Anil Baijal continued on the fifth day, the AAP leadership today sat down to prepare for an intensified agitation even as party lawmaker Sanjay Singh met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to defuse the tense situation.

After the meeting with the home minister, Sanjay Singh hoped a "meaningful" solution will be found to the ongoing tussle between the AAP government and the lieutenant governor.

"I hope, after today's meeting with Home Minister Rajnath Singh, that the L-G will find a meaningful solution in the interest of the people of Delhi," Sanjay Singh tweeted.

Earlier today, senior AAP leaders targeted Baijal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that they were "not concerned" about addressing the issues raised by the party.

In a symbolic protest, AAP leaders from all 70 assembly constituencies in Delhi sent ration packets to the prime minister's residence to make a point that Baijal should clear the ambitious proposal to deliver ration at the doorstep.

At a meeting at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, the strategy for the intensified protest on Sunday at the PMO was discussed by senior AAP leaders with the legislators, councillors and other functionaries of the party.

Accompanied by his deputy Manish Sisodia and ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai, Kejriwal is sitting on the dharna at Baijal's office demanding that the L-G direct IAS officers to end their "strike" and approve the ration scheme.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj said Kejriwal and the ministers have been pleading the central government and the L-G to direct IAS officers to call off their "illegal strike".

The IAS officers have denied that they are on strike.

But Bhardwaj said that a meeting called by Environment Minister Imran Hussain today to discuss the rising pollution level in Delhi was not attended by the officers concerned.

"In spite of the urgency and importance of this meeting called by the environment minister, the IAS officers boycotted the meeting and remained absent," he alleged.

The IAS officers have been boycotting meetings with Delhi government ministers to protest the alleged attack on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by AAP legislators during a late-night meeting at Kejriwal's residence in February this year.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain is on an indefinite hunger-strike at Baijal's office since Tuesday and Sisodia joined him on Wednesday.

The L-G's office has criticised the AAP leaders' sit-in as one more "dharna without reason".