Power games: Kejriwal threatens indefinite hunger strike from 23 March

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal declared he will sit on an indefinite hunger strike from 23 March to protest against the hike in water and power tariffs in the national capital.

The activist turned politician has appealed to the city residents not to pay their water and power bills starting 23 March - the day he said he will begin a civil disobedience movement.

“People are reeling under increasing tariffs but they don’t know what to do. The objective of this movement is to unite people on this issue,” Kejriwal said, announcing his strategy at a press conference in New Delhi today.

To set a precedent, he  would not pay the power bills of his house located in in Ghaziabad, Kejriwal said.

Unlike his previous protest fasts when Kejriwal sat at Jantar Mantar, this time he will be traveling in various assembly constituencies during his ‘civil disobedience movement’.

“I will be staying with many families. These families will not pay their bills,” Kejriwal said.

The AAP has been attacking the Sheila Dikshit government over the hike in water and power tariffs and has accused the chief minister of corruption as well.

Kejriwal also tried to point out the difference between his previous protests and the upcoming one.

“Those were anshans. We had certain demands from the government. This time, it is an upvaas. We don’t have any demand from the government. We are concerned only with the citizens,” said Kejriwal.

Kejriwal will be leading his recently formed political party in its first electoral contest when Delhi goes to the polls later this year.