New Delhi: A political storm has erupted in Delhi following a dispute between the ministers and officers of the Delhi government over a missing photograph of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Independence Day advertisements. Meanwhile, contrastingly, new hoardings featuring Kejriwal’s image and the slogan “Kejriwal Will Come” have appeared around the city.
Political Tension Over Advertisements
The controversy began when Delhi Minister Atishi issued a show cause notice to the Director and Secretary of the Information and Publicity Department (DIP) for releasing an Independence Day advertisement that did not feature Kejriwal’s photograph. Despite receiving written instructions from Atishi on August 14, 2024, which explicitly approved a full-page advertisement including Kejriwal’s photo, the DIP published a half-page version without the Chief Minister’s image on August 15, 2024.
Atishi has accused the officials of wilful disobedience and procedural violations, demanding an explanation as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. The minister argues that the Chief Minister’s image represents the values of democracy and freedom, making its absence in the advertisement a significant oversight.
Campaign Hoardings Stir Debate
Amidst this advertising dispute, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a new campaign featuring prominent hoardings across Delhi. These hoardings display a photo of Arvind Kejriwal with the slogan “Kejriwal Will Come,” alongside the phrase “Manish Sisodia Has Come, Kejriwal Will Come.” The campaign coincides with Kejriwal’s ongoing legal troubles, as he remains in Tihar Jail in connection with an alleged excise policy scam.
Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 and by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26. He has since been granted interim bail by the Supreme Court in the ED case, with a hearing scheduled for August 23 regarding the CBI charges.
The appearance of these campaign hoardings has intensified the debate over the Chief Minister’s public portrayal, reflecting the broader political and legal struggles currently facing Kejriwal and his party.
As Delhi navigates these overlapping controversies, the dispute over Independence Day advertising and the simultaneous launch of Kejriwal’s campaign hoardings underscore the turbulent political landscape in the capital. The outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings and internal party disputes will likely shape the next phase of Delhi’s political narrative.
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