AAP protests at 40 places in city

The AAP on Wednesday staged demonstrations at 40 locations across the national capital reminding the BJP of its poll promise to provide free LPG cylinders to women on Holi.

AAP leaders and workers, accompanied by women carrying empty LPG cylinders, were detained by the police at several protest sites, including ITO, Mandi House and Kalkaji.

The protests were led by senior AAP leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Atishi, former Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi and former MLA Rituraj Jha. Atishi accused the BJP of making false promises to the women of Delhi.

“The BJP’s promise of giving Rs 2,500 monthly aid to women by March 8 turned out to be a ‘jumla’ and a betrayal. PM Modi also promised to give one free LPG cylinder to every woman on Holi and Diwali,” she said.

“With just two days left for Holi, women are wondering if they will get a free cylinder or if, like the Rs 2,500, this too will turn out to be another ‘jumla’,” she said.

At Mandir Marg, former Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi led the protests with AAP workers, demanding that the BJP government keeps its word. Similar protests were held in Kalkaji, Sangam Vihar and other parts of the city.

AAP alleged that when its leaders and workers gathered at the ITO to press for the implementation of the free LPG scheme, they were detained by the police.

“First, the BJP deceived women with the false promise of Rs 2,500. Now, they seem to be backing out of their free cylinder commitment too. Will the BJP turn all its promises into ‘jumlas’?” AAP said in a statement.

The AAP also questioned whether it had become a crime to remind the BJP of its own election promises. “When AAP leaders and workers peacefully ask the BJP to fulfil its guarantees, they are forcibly arrested. What kind of democracy is this?” the party asked.