Won’t Let Protesters Hold Delhi Hostage, Says CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) of disrupting peace and public order in the national capital for political gains, asserting that her government would not allow Delhi to be held hostage by protests.

In a post on X, Gupta said her government would firmly oppose what she described as attempts to create anarchy under the guise of democracy and challenge the people’s mandate.

“Let it be known: Delhi will not be held hostage,” she said, vowing to prevent anyone from disturbing peace in the capital.

In a lengthy post in Hindi, the Chief Minister alleged that Rahul Gandhi and Kejriwal, along with what she called their “B-team”, the CJP, were attempting to turn Delhi into a battleground after facing repeated electoral setbacks.

Questioning the impact of the protests on ordinary residents, Gupta asked who would take responsibility for the difficulties faced by office-goers, daily-wage workers and patients trying to reach hospitals. She argued that political ambitions should not take precedence over the livelihoods, safety and peace of Delhi’s residents.

Gupta also invoked the electoral mandate, saying Delhi had voted for development and referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term in office. She alleged that parties driven by dynastic politics and political opportunism were unable to accept the public support received by the BJP.

Targeting Kejriwal, the Chief Minister accused the AAP leader of attempting to disrupt the city’s peace and security for political interests. She also described the CJP, led by Abhijeet Dipke, as the AAP’s “B-team”.

According to officials, more than 1,000 protesters were detained at different locations across Delhi on Saturday while attempting to participate in a demonstration called by the CJP.

The protest sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Authorities deployed more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel across the capital in anticipation of the mobilisation.

Security measures included the closure of 45 Metro stations around Jantar Mantar, barricades at several locations, internet restrictions in central Delhi and traffic curbs on dozens of roads from 6 a.m.

Schools, colleges and courts were also reported to have shifted to online operations for the day amid the security arrangements.

The developments prompted a political confrontation, with Gupta defending the restrictions as necessary to maintain public order and criticising opposition leaders over their role in the agitation.