Kejriwal's sit-in protest continues

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his three Cabinet colleagues continued their sit-in protest at the Lt Governor's (LG) office on Friday despite no response from the Centre.

Kejriwal, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Cabinet ministers Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai, has been camping in the Raj Niwas -- the official accommodation-cum-office of LG Anil Baijal -- since Monday evening.

They have been demanding a direction to the IAS officers working in the Delhi administration to end their undeclared strike, action against officers who have struck work for "four months" and approval to his government's proposal for doorstep delivery of ration to the poor.

Jain, who is on a hunger strike since Tuesday, in a tweet urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to look into the matter.

"Have been waiting in the LG office from last four nights, but he could not mange even four minutes time. I hope the Prime Minister will look into this," Jain tweeted.

Echoing same sentiments, Rai also tweeted adding that he hopes Modi will "be concerned about the fitness of the democracy in Delhi".

Summarising the journey so far, Kejriwal said in tweet: "There has been no response from the LG. I have asked him for time for a meeting. I had asked the Prime Minister to look into the matter, he too did not respond. Hope Delhi will soon find a solution."

On Thursday, Kejriwal in a letter sought Modi's intervention to end the IAS officers "strike", as there has been no communication from Baijal's office.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #ModijiForgiveDelhi.

Party members posted videos requesting Modi to let the elected government work by instructing the IAS officers to join back work.

Since Monday, Baijal has been working from his residence, according to sources.

More political leaders and parties have come forward to express their support to the sit-in, with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, actor-turned-politician Kamal Hassan and Shatrughan Sinha, and parties like the CPI and the CPI(M) being the latest to join the list.

Kejriwal's protest has already been backed by West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, RJD MP Manoj Jha, former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha.

--IANS

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