The Aam Aadmi Party in an attempt to reap public support for its demand for full statehood to Delhi launched a campaign on Sunday. According to media reports the campaign was launched with the slogan of ‘LG (Lieutenant Governor) Delhi Chhodo’ (LG quit Delhi). However, legislators present in the meeting denied and said that the focus is on getting full statehood for Delhi.
Addressing the party’s ward-level officer-bearers and legislators at his residence in New Delhi, the chief minister compared the fight for Delhi’s full statehood with the freedom struggle. The AAP supremo said that Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India campaign during the British rule, and the Aam Aadmi Party will run ‘LG, Delhi Chhodo’ campaign.
Had a meeting wid ward level office bearers of AAP Delhi. Made strategy to take msg of full statehood to every house in Delhi. https://t.co/elYSEV70QK
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 10, 2018
He said that in 1947, India got freedom and all British viceroys were removed, but in Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor was appointed in place of viceroys.
Arvind Kejriwal while talking to his party MLA’s and workers, emphasising on the need to get full statehood for Delhi so as to the government that can work without interference, announced that they would hold over 300 meetings in all municipal wards between 17th and 24th June and later on 1st July the party planned to hold a party worker’s convention at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium to decide the subsequent course of action.
During the meeting, Kejriwal said that it is an insult at the behest of the voters if their elected government cannot take decisions without the approval of the L-G. He claimed that people of Delhi were unable to get their full rights even after 70 years of independence. “Every person in Delhi will get a good job and every family will get own house if Delhi is given full statehood status,” he said.
He further attacked former chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit, alleging that people were fed up during her government’s tenure. His comment came in response to Dikshit’s reported statement that she ruled Delhi for 15 years but never had any conflict with the Centre and Lt Governor during her tenure.
The AAP alleged that after assuming power at the Centre, the BJP has fallen back on its earlier stance and has turned a deaf ear to demand of full statehood for the last four years. Addressing the media persons at party headquarters, AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said it is only within the ambit of the Central Government to grant full statehood to Delhi.