Kejriwal in Amritsar for Majithia defamation case, Akalis in a huddle

As Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal landed here for appearance in a court in a defamation case filed by Punjab revenue minister Bikram Majithia, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders held a closed-door meeting in the evening.

There is apprehension that a large number of Aam Aadmi Party workers will converge to show solidarity with their leader on Friday, when Kejriwal and his party colleagues Sanjay Singh and Ashish Khetan will appear in the court.

Senior Akali leaders, including Majithia and chief parliamentary secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha, attended the SAD meeting. As the AAP reportedly has given a call to its activists through messages for a show of strength, the police are on their toes to avert a law-and-order situation. A number of AAP leaders from across the state reached the city on Thursday evening.

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Akali Dal spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha said, “It is unfortunate that the AAP is gathering workers. Kejriwal is coming to appear in a court and not to show his strength.” He said the AAP was provoking confrontation.

Kejriwal will stay for the night at the Circuit House and leave for the court hearing at 9.30am. The police are planning to restrict the entry of people judicial complex on Friday.

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Kejriwal did not answer media queries at the airport. This is his third visit to the city in July. On July 3, he had come to release a manifesto and on July 18, he performed ‘sewa’ at the Golden Temple.

Notably, Majithia had filed a defamation suit against the three AAP leaders on May 20, alleging Kejriwal and other AAP leaders were tarnishing his image through false allegations and statements.

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