AAP calls off agitation: As it happened

Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar 10:59 pm: Former Director General, Border Security Force, Prakash Singh takes a dig at Kejriwal.

Thank God, good sense prevailed over Kejriwal. Who won? Nobody. Who lost? The common man, while AAP narrowed its own support base.

— Prakash Singh (@singh_prakash) January 21, 2014

9:30 pm: On microblogging website Twitter, BJP leadr Arun Jaitley ?tweets:

Sushil Kumar Shinde may have saved the Republic Day but he has weakened the Republic.— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 21, 2014

8:28 pm: AAP member Ashutosh defends his party`s agitation, requests BJP leader Arun Jaitley "to come down on the street and protest some day to see how that feels". 8:08 pm: All four Delhi metro stations reopened. 8:02 pm: AAP is going to break stereotypes. The party will work and run the government as well. It will come down and protest on streets: Yogendra Yadav 7:48 pm: Kiran Bedi takes a dig at the Delhi CM.

A climb down for CM of delhi! From seeking suspensions of 4 to only 1 going on leave! Erring Ministers stay on regardless! Unjust+Shameful!— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) January 21, 2014

7:47 pm: The LG has partially agreed to our demands and I congratulate the people of Delhi - Kejriwal 7:40 pm: Arvind Kejriwal addresses media, announces calling off agitation against the Delhi Police. It was for the first time in India that a CM went on a dharna with his Cabinet, says Kejriwal, adding Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has assured judicial inquiry against the accused policemen. The SHO Malviya Nagar and In-charge of the Paharganj PCR Van sent on leave pending inquiry. 7:37 pm: Congress appeals to Arvind Kejriwal to withdraw his dharna and allow Republic Day celebrations: Ajay Maken 7:37 pm: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijay Goel says Delhi CM and his colleagues have no regard for polity.

Delhi CM & his colleagues have no regard for polity,sacred institutions like army and are insisting on disrupting Republic Day celebrations.

— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) January 21, 2014

Aim of AAP is to create a situation of anarchy which is a manifestation of Maoist ideology. A greater cause of worry is Cong supporting it.— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) January 21, 2014

7:36 pm: Kejriwal is set to end his agitation. According to reports, two SHOs have been sent on leave pending investigations. Lt Governor Najeeb Jung urges Kejriwal to withdraw the protest. 7:20 pm: Aam Aadmi Party`s emergency meet over; Kejriwal can make a big announcement 7:02 pm: The Delhi Police asks Arvind Kejriwal to end his protest or shift his protest venue to Jantar Mantar by the evening of January 22. 7:00 pm: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy writes to Arvind Kejriwal, demands apology from Kumar Vishwas over his “racist” comment against nurses from Kerala. 6:40 pm: Former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde says Arvind Kejriwal should withdraw protest as it will affect AAP in Lok Sabha elections. Hegde further tells AAP: “You can`t take the law in your own hands. Just because Mahatma Gandhi did it, you can`t do in the 21st century.” I was happy when AAP formed the government, but now I am very disappointed...This is pure and simple arrogance of power, not political immaturity - Hegde 6:22 pm: The AAP says it has no intention of disrupting the official Republic Day celebrations. AAP spokesman Ashutosh says: "We give an assurance that we will not cause any disruption to the Republic Day parade. We are not here for that." 6:05 pm: 15 people have been injured in the police baton charge: Urban Development Minister Manish Sisodia 5:53 pm: Former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi tweets:

Elected Government which practices and promotes anarchy ought to be dismissed by the President of India without further loss of time!— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) January 21, 2014

5:32 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal meets senior AAP leaders Manish Sishodia, Yogendra Yadav and others at Press Club. 5:30 pm: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dr Harsh Vardhan says that the Delhi CM`s statements about the Republic Day is an insult to people who fought for the country`s independence. 5:26 pm: I will make an important announcement at 12 noon on Wednesday, says AAP rebel MLA Vinod Kumar Binny. Arvind Kejriwal has taken to the streets only to save a minister, adds Binny. 5:14 pm: Arvind Kejriwal`s behaviour is completely unacceptable. He is insulting the Constitution and every citizen of the country - Industry Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala 5:10 pm: The Delhi Police Commissioner reaches North Block to meet Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. 5:00 pm: Delhi Police must report to Delhi govt, says CPI-M The Delhi Police must be made accountable to the elected government in Delhi and this should be decided through Parliament, says the CPI-M. But the Communist Party of India-Marxist faulted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for defending Law Minister Somnath Bharti and AAP members, who it said targeted some African women. 4:53 pm: There is total chaos in Delhi, says Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. The government has no vision, therefore it is creating this anarchy, adds Jaitley. “It is the matter of regret that a young party is trying to disrupt Republic Day celebrations.” 4:20 pm: New Delhi DCP SBS Tyagi says AAP supporters are provoking the Delhi police. 4:14 pm: I appeal to AAP workers to maintain peace. I am trying to rush the injured to the hospital - AAP leader Sanjay Singh 4:00 pm: Delhi Police asks AAP supporters to leave, warn they could be evicted forcefully if they fail to comply with orders. 3:57 pm: Several policemen and AAP supporters are reported to be injured in the clashes. 3:54 pm: Delhi police forced to lathicharge as AAP supporters try to break barricades outside Rail Bhawan. 3:40 pm: Two BJP leaders file a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking the cancellation of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Law Minister Somnath Bharti`s election last December for exceeding the expenditure limit for the polls. BJP leaders Vijender Goyal and Aarti Mehra moved the court, alleging that Kejriwal and Bharti exceeded their expenditure limits. 3:03 pm: If this continues like this, we`ll be forced to rethink our support - Arvinder Singh Lovely, Delhi Congress president 3:01 pm: Along with the police, I think Somnath Bharti should also be suspended – Capt Gopinath, AAP member

3:00 pm: AAP leaders shut to be tolerant, patient - Medha Patkar to a news channel 2:57 pm CM & his cabinet must govern from the office while the political party can continue to protest – Capt Gopinath 2:56 pm It is my personal view that Kejriwal`s intentions are noble, good but the way he is going about doing things is not right – Capt Gopinath 2:55 pm What does Kejriwal mean by half/full rape? Has no right to continue as CM. Will send a notice to him – Mamata Sharma of National Commission for Women 2:45 pm Arvind Kejriwal is making a mockery of India`s democracy – Sanjay Jha, Congress spokesperson 2:37 pm Appeal to all to protest peacefully,not to indulge in violence - Manish Sisodia 2:30 pm Won`t allow the protesters cross barricades. As and when we decide, we will clear protesters from here - SBS Tyagi, Deputy Commissioner of Police 2:23 pm One policeman injured after AAP supporters pelt stones after they were denied entry into the protest venue 2:22 pm Former Karnataka lokayukta Santosh Hegde, who had played an active role in the Anna movement, says Arvind Kejriwal`s actions have dented the dignity of the CM`s office 2:16 pm Police maintain restraint but say legal action will be taken, reports 2:15 pm After Manish Sisodia addresses the crowd, AAP supporters try to break the barricades, hurl stones at police personnel 2:01 pm Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel and other party leaders detianed at Jantar Mantar while protesting against the Aam Aadmi Party 1:55 pm What are you trying to show? To suspend two police officers you are shutting the entire Govt? All for cheap publicity - Shikha Rai, BJP 1:48 pm First time we have seen people given the responsibility to run a government is shunning their work and protesting. This isn`t healthy: Sachin Pilot 1:36 pm The responsibility of the Republic Day isn`t just of the Govt but also the CM who took an oath on the constitution - Manish Tewari 1:32 pm Centre in no mood to relent to Kejriwal`s pressure tactics, mulling all options – Reports 1:17 pm Will wait for the court verdict on the PIL filed against our dharna – Manish Sisodia 1:15 pm Kejriwal should end this dharna. He is CM because of this system, can`t subvert it - Sharad Yadav, JDU chief 1:05 pmTensions rise again at Raisina Road as AAP protesters push against police barricade 12.50 pm Arvind Kejriwal`s protest dharna is justified – Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav 12:36 pm Arvind Kejriwal is desperate, wants to resign. He is looking for reasons as he cannot honour the tall promises he made - Kiran Bedi 12:35 pm AAP wants to demean January 26, Kejriwal is insulting jawans who safeguard our borders. Like Maoists in Naxal areas, AAP is challenging the Constitution in NCR - Javdekar 12:32 pm Centre keen to avoid direct confrontation with AAP protesters, claim reports. 12:30 pm Delhi Police sends report to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Police have been asked to not get provoked by actions of AAP protesters, reports said. 12:15 pm Whatever is happening in Delhi is a joint operation of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. While Kejriwal wants to duck the questions being asked by people about what action he is taking to indict corrupt Shiela Dikshit and wants to save his minister who was indicted by the court, the Congress is playing along as they have now realised that they can`t take on Narendra Modi on their own and need help of others – BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar 12:05 pm: The type of steps he is taking, it looks like he is of Maoist mindset – BJP leader Vijay Goel 12:05 pm: We did not choose the place of protest,police stopped us at that place,so we are protesting from there – Yogendra Yadav 11:50 am: Reacting to the protest by AAP ministers, Congress leader Digvijay Singh said that he was not surprised by Arvind Kejriwal`s style of working as the Delhi CM never cared about laws even when he was an IRS officer. 11:30 am: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear the PIL filed against the agitation by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The protest by Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues entered the second day Tuesday as he demanded control over Delhi Police and suspension of five police officials. The apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said they will hear the PILs on Friday. The petitioners, advocate ML Sharma and another advocate, said the chief minister was supposed to maintain law and order but was instead creating a law and order problem by his ongoing agitation seeking suspension from service of five policemen. 11:05 am: Congress leader slams Arvind Kejriwal Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das today slammed Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal saying that the AAP ministers aren`t thinking about people`s inconvenience while protesting. Das accused the AAP leaders of having aggressive mindset, saying that such a mindset is dangerous than any terrorist. 11:00 am: BJP demands apology BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar condemned Kejrwial`s statement saying that the Delhi Chief Minister has demeaned the Republic Day and demanded his apology to the nation. 10:45 am AAP protesters stay put despite rains 10:25 am Arvind Kejriwal going too far to save his Ministers. Appeal to him to abandon his ego, stubbornness,must talk it out with Home Minister, Delhi Police – Congress leader Meem Afzal 10:05 am Rains add to traffic woes in Delhi, commuters hardest hit in central Delhi due to AAP protest 9:40 am Over 4000 police personnel have secured the protest area, RAF teams are on standby Also Read: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal threatens to disrupt Republic Day parade 9:12 am: BJP , Congress and a section of media is misleading the people - Kejriwal 9:10 am: Sushilkumar Shinde has inconvenienced India by not cooperating, the Delhi CM will decide where he wants to sit, CM can decide where Shinde will sit, Shinde can`t decide where I will sit – Kejriwal 9:05 am: This area has been turned into jail. What they are calling as anarchy is democracy, the country is changing – Kejriwal 9 am: Arvind Kejriwal shifts to Raisina Road. Four Metro stations - Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udhyog Bhavan, Race Course – to remain closed till further notice. Massive traffic jams are expected in central Delhi. Also Read: Controversy over Ugandan official`s letter to AAP

Early morning, Arvind Kejriwal and AAP workers tried to open the barricades at the Rail Bhawan.

"We`ll continue the dharna till our demands are met. There can`t be a better Republic Day than this," said Kejriwal.

He also threatened to go on an indefinite dharna if his demands are not met. "If our demands are not met then we will go for an indefinite protest. If by January 26, our demands are not met, then we will fill Rajpath with lakhs of people," he said. Also Read: Congress reconsidering support to Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP govt?

"How can Home Minister Shinde sleep when so many crimes are happening in Delhi? Women are unsafe in the city, we won`t negotiate, this is not a grocery store," said Kejriwal.

Arvind Kejriwal spent the night sleeping on a pavement outside the Rail Bhawan. He slept in the open, by the side of his car. Arvind Kejriwal, who took oath as Delhi CM three weeks back, triggered an unprecedented face-off with the Centre, after began a dharna, Yesterday, in front of Rail Bhavan and called himself an "anarchist" and asking "honest" police officials to take leave and join his protest demanding action against some of their colleagues. “Some people are saying that I am an anarchist. I am spreading disorder. I agree I am an anarchist. Today, I will create anarchy for Shinde,” the Aam Aadmi Party chief said in an impromptu address to his party MLAs and supporters at the dharna site from where police asked him to shift to nearby Jantar Mantar. This is perhaps for the first time that a Chief Minister and his entire cabinet are holding a dharna against the Union government to press for their demands. Also, the Kejriwal cabinet is running the Delhi government form the street. Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has appraised the Prime Minister of the developments and the planned action. This after Kejriwal rejected his offer that appropriate action will be considered against three Delhi Police cops the Chief Minister wants suspended after an inquiry. Also Read: Delhi Police to remain under Home Ministry: Shinde Shinde had also advised Kejriwal to have patience and not demand immediate action as the Lt Governor has ordered an judicial inquiry into the allegations against the cops. Also Read: Congress was divided on backing Arvind Kejriwal`s AAP : Chidambaram