Delhi CM Kejriwal accuses BJP of targeting AAP-supporting drivers

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, and police in India’s capital, of targeting autorickshaw drivers by slapping heavy fines on them for displaying “I Love Kejriwal” posters on their vehicles.

Referring to media reports that an auto driver was fined Rs10,000 (Dh515) for displaying an “I Love Kejriwal” sticker, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Kejriwal said the saffron party was extorting money in the name of fines.

“An autorickshaw driver was fined Rs10,000 for showing the message ‘I Love Kejriwal’ on his auto. The BJP, through its police, is targeting such auto drivers by imposing fines on them. It is not acceptable,” Kejriwal told Gulf News.

The CM urged BJP not to harbour ill-will for the poor and to stop attacking them.

“Such malice against the poor people of Delhi is not right. I appeal to the BJP to stop taking revenge against the poor autorickshaw drivers as it will not eventually serve them any purpose,” he added.

According to Delhi Police, the action against auto drivers was taken for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during which period political advertisements were prohibited.

Kejriwal, however, emphasised that the autorickshaw drivers were sporting AAP-supporting posters out of their free will, and without any pressure and monetary benefit.

“We have not paid a single rupee to auto drivers to display these posters. If they are doing it on their own, how can Delhi Police dub them political advertisements? Even if it is a political advertisement, it cannot be prohibited as it is being done at their own expense,” Kejriwal said.

Meanwhile, a group of autorickshaw drivers on Tuesday challenged, in the Delhi High Court (HC), the fines levied on them by traffic police for showcasing the “I Love Kejriwal” and “Sirf Kejriwal” (only Kejriwal) posters on their vehicles.

The court issued notices to the AAP government, Delhi Police and Election Commission (EC) seeking to know their stand on the matter.

In their plea, the petitioners have claimed the action by the police stemmed from “political malice”.

“We have put the posters and banners by our own will and without any allurement from any political party. The poster is not an advertisement for Aam Aadmi Party as contended by the police. Despite our pleadings stating the same, the traffic police fined us following which we moved to the court,” the autorickshaw drivers said in the petition.

Stating that the finse imposed on them were a violation of their fundamental rights, the auto drivers have sought to cancel the penalties.

The matter has been posted for hearing on March three.

The voting for the 70-member Delhi legislative assembly will be held on February 8.