India's opposition parties and their supporters have rallied in protest over the arrest of an opposition leader just weeks before general elections in April.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday in connection with corruption allegations relating to the city's liquor policy.

He has been a fierce critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the central government.

Opposition parties say that his arrest was wrongful and politically motivated to influence the general election. They staged fierce protests in the capital New Delhi over the weekend.

On Saturday, about 500 protesters, including leaders and supporters of Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party, took part in a rally, shouting that Modi is trying to destroy India's democracy.

They continued to chant anti-government slogans after some protesters were pushed into a bus by police officers.

The opposition bloc plans to hold a major demonstration in the capital on March 31.

The ruling party led by Modi says that it will continue to fight corruption and urge Kejriwal to step down.