Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to address rally against ordinance today

NEW DELHI: Over one lakh people from Delhi as well as its neighbouring towns are expected to reach Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to participate in the 'maha rally' organised in protest against the central ordinance placing services matters back under the LG's control, Aam Aadmi Party said on Saturday.
The rally will be addressed by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Singh Mann. Though Kejriwal travelled to several states in the last few days to garner the opposition's support against the ordinance, Sunday's maha rally will solely be an AAP event.
Several party functionaries were stationed at Ramlila Maidan on Saturday to oversee the preparations of the event. A huge stage has been made in the east of the park for the party leaders to sit and address the gathering. "About one lakh chairs are being placed for people to sit under the tent and listen to the party leaders. Keeping the weather in mind, adequate arrangements of fans and coolers have been made," said an AAP functionary.
"To ensure people do not face any problem, there will be adequate arrangements for water as well as the public conveniences. We are expecting the public from every part of the city and from other towns as well to come and listen to their leaders how the central government has snatched away the power of a democratically elected government through this black ordinance," the functionary added.
The Centre had promulgated the ordinance on May 19 overturning just nine-day old judgement delivered by the constitution bench of the Supreme Court, which handed over the control over "services matters", including transfer and posting of IAS and DANICS officers, to the elected dispensation. With the ordinance, the Centre, however, created a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of IAS and DANICS cadre officers and disciplinary proceedings against them.
"This black ordinance has made it clear that the BJP-led Centre will impose dictatorial decisions like this on the country. Therefore, AAP has decided to launch a campaign against it along with the people of Delhi, who will join us tomorrow to express their anger against the Centre's actions," said another party functionary.
The party leaders ran a campaign to drum up support among the general public against the ordinance. They went door-to-door to inform people about the 'maha rally' and the reasons behind holding it.
All ministers, MLAs, municipal councillors, office bearers and party workers will attend the rally. Another party functionary said people would start reaching the venue by 8-8.30am while the programme would begin by 10am. Kejriwal and Mann are likely to speak around 12noon.