Traders fume as Kejriwal postpones hunger strike
NEWDELHI: Shopkeepers from Lajpat Nagar’s Old Double Storey Market said they were left “disappointed” after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday that he would postpone his hunger strike against the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Friday the CM did not wish to “annoy” the Supreme Court by going on a hunger strike on the issue of sealing of commercial properties, which is being heard in the apex court.
“The Supreme Court is going to hear this matter from April 2 on a day-to-day basis, thus several traders association and lawyers have appealed to Kejriwal to not to go on strike as it would annoy the court and adversely impact outcome. They had urged the CM to postpone his decision,” Bharadwaj said.
Kejriwal’s decision to postpone the hunger strike came as a relief to his close aides who said that the CM is already suffering from prolonged respiratory issues, apart from fluctuating sugar levels.
“The CM will, however, closely monitor the situation,” Bharadwaj added.
On March 9, Kejriwal had promised to go on a hunger strike if the sealing drive issue had not been resolved by March 31. He made the statement while interacting with traders at the market in south Delhi’s Amar Colony where over 350 establishments were sealed on March 8 on the directions of Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee.
The CM’S decision to postpone his hunger strike is a betrayal... It is highly shameful that such a sensitive issue connected with livelihood of traders was politicised in a ruthless manner by him. PRAVEEN KHANDELWAL, secretary general, Confederation of All India Traders
Anticipating that the chief minister would join them in their protest as promised from April 1, the shopkeepers had gone all out to prepare for the hunger strike. Traders in Lajpat Nagar market in Old Double Storey had even set up a stage and made seating arrangements for the protesters.
“We are really disappointed with his decision. He made the announcement here himself and is now stepping back. What kind of message he has given to Delhiites?” said Mandeep Singh Kohli, general secretary, Ladies Suit Market Association, Old Double Storey, Lajpat Nagar IV.
“The shopkeepers will continue their fight and might go on hunger strike from Sunday,” said Singh.
Meanwhile, Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, Confederation of All India Traders, demanded the chief minister’s resignation over his “betrayal.”
“The CM’S decision to indefinitely postpone his hunger strike against sealing is a betrayal. It was just a political stunt to garner sympathy of traders... It is highly regretted and shameful that such a sensitive issue connected with livelihood of traders and their employees was politicised in a ruthless manner by him,” Khandelwal said.