In order to garner public support to its demand for full statehood to the national Capital, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to launch a signature campaign named “Delhi Maange Apna Haq” from July 3 to July 25 whereby it will seek signature of 10 lakh Delhiites.

The campaign is slated to launch at a meeting of its workers at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday, which will be attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after his return from Bangalore. According to the AAP, signatures thus collected would be handed over to the Prime Minister. Kejriwal, 47, is undergoing naturopathy treatment for his cough and diabetes-related ailments in Bangalore. The AAP chief was admitted to an institute there on June 21.

On his return, the AAP has planned the campaign to seek support from people on the issue, claiming Delhi’s development has suffered due to denial of full statehood.

Delhi AAP convenor Gopal Rai said their experience of governance over the past three years has been that the lack of full-statehood status to Delhi obstructs development works. The issues related to unemployment, college admissions and housing faced by people of Delhi would be solved if Delhi gets the full-statehood status, said Rai.

“The Delhi Assembly has passed a resolution for full statehood. If full statehood is given, our revenue will surge,” he said.

“In the present situation, the value of Delhi peoples’ votes is half (compared to other states). The Modi Government has turned it into zero,” he alleged, referring to the frequent run-ins of the AAP Government with the lt Governor’s Office over several issues, including jurisdiction.

“Be it the BJP or the Congress, both the parties have been supporting the full statehood in Delhi during their governance but today they are the ones who are against the welfare of the people living in Delhi. Specially, the BJP, which has come in power with the manifesto and promise to the people of Delhi for providing full statehood to the Capital and now it is the same Government, which is busy covering up for its false statements,” said Rai.

“For the first time in the political history of Delhi, the l-G has refused to meet the elected CM who was on a nine-day strike to meet him for betterment of Delhi. It is insulting for the Delhi people who have elected the Delhi Government,” he said.