NEW DELHI: Citing the ongoing struggle for power in the national capital the Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday announced that it will take the campaign to booth level to intensify its demand for full statehood to Delhi.
"Despite the Supreme Court's order the BJP government in the Centre is not allowing the AAP government in Delhi to implement the good work that we envision for the city. The need for a full statehood is felt more than ever now" said Delhi convenor of the AAP and labor and employment minister Gopal Rai.
The fresh round of tussle between the government and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal was triggered on the issue pertaining to the services department, where executive power lies with the LG. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked Baijal over this, even met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday to clear the matter.
"So far 1.52 lakh people have signed the letter addressed to the Prime Minister seeking full statehood for Delhi. The campaign will be expedited and taken to booth level in the coming days. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal reviewed the progress of the campaign yesterday," added Rai.
A meeting of party office-bearers will be held on Sunday to take stock of the campaign and intensify it, he said. Rai said the demand for full statehood was a political struggle and that even the BJP and the Congress had earlier supported it.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor had no independent power to take decisions and was bound by the elected government's advice. The verdict also stated that barring land, police and public order, in all the other subjects the elected government has the executive powers to take decisions.
The AAP branded this decision as a major victory, but within 48 hours of the verdict things were back to square one, when Kejriwal after meeting the LG at his house stated that he is being 'selective' in implementing the SC order.