Kejriwal seeks withdrawal of security; writes to Punjab CEO

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who has been aggressively campaigning in Punjab, has sought withdrawal of police security provided to him.
In a letter written to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer V K Singh, he said, "I have noticed during my tours of the state that a large number of police personnel are deployed for my security which in my view are not required. I want withdrawal of the security provided to me."
"Given the poor law and order situation of Punjab, all this security apparatus should be deployed for safety and security of people of the state," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

"I request you to take a quick decision in this regard to restore the confidence of the people of the state during the crucial period of elections," he said in the letter.
Kejriwal also mentioned in the letter that the candidates of Aam Aadmi Party had already made it clear that they did not require security in the wake of the Assembly polls.
Confirming the receipt of the letter from Kejriwal, a spokesman of the election office here said the same has been forwarded to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action after getting assessment of the security to Delhi Chief Minister.

Officials said as Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi, security had to be provided to him.

Notably, Punjab Additional Director General of Police V K Bhawra on January 18 had said some candidates including AAP nominees had refused to take security cover.
"Some candidates were not taking security cover. They have voluntarily refused to take security cover. Among them, some are AAP candidates," he had said.
Police provides three security personnel to candidate of recognised political party and two to others.
New entrant AAP is locked in a keen battle of ballot in Punjab against traditional parties Congress and SAD-BJP alliance in a three-cornered contest.

Punjab Assembly polls will be held on February 4.
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Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal today lashed out at AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for "enacting drama" by writing letter to the Punjab CEO seeking withdrawal of his security cover and said he should desist from playing "cheap and dirty politics".
SAD Secretary and Spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said it was strange that Kejriwal was enjoying highest level of security cover and number of times letters were written on his behalf to Punjab government for providing enhanced security to him whenever he visits the state.
He said keeping in view that Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi his security was enhanced by the state government before announcement of polls in the state and it was duly informed to the Delhi government.

"Now when the poll process was on in the state, he was playing cheap and dirty politics by urging to withdraw his security and trying to malign the image of the state for non issues," Cheema said in a statement.
He said instead of raising the non issues to attract public attention with his drama he should try to seek votes in the campaigning.
The AAP leader has "sensed defeat" of his party at the hands of Punjabis, now he is resorting to this type of "drama politics" which he played in Delhi, Cheema said.