In a bid to drum up public support for the full Statehood to Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to hold 300 meetings in all municipal wards between June 17 and 24. A decision in this regard was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with MlAs and ward-level AAP office-bearers.
The clarion call for full Statehood to Delhi comes ahead of the lok Sabha elections scheduled next year. According to party sources, the ruling party in Delhi is planning to strongly raise the statehood issue during the lok Sabha elections.
"Had a meeting wid ward level office-bearers of AAP Delhi. Made strategy to take msg of full statehood to every house in Delhi (sic)", the Chief Minister tweeted after the meeting.
Addressing the meeting of AAP leaders, Kejriwal compared the post of the Delhi lieutenant Governor (l-G) with the British-era Viceroy and the Centre with the British rulers. "In 1947, the country got freedom. Throughout the country, it was decided that people's rule will replace the Viceroy's rule. But in Delhi, the l-G was appointed in place of the Viceroy. The people of Delhi were cheated. We would ask people (during meetings) whether there should be people's rule or l-G's rule in Delhi. The l-G creates hurdles in our every project, be it the CCTV project or doorstep delivery of ration," Kejriwal said.
"The problem we had with the British is that they took away all our gold and all our money to England. But what the Centre is doing with us is even worse -- Delhi every year pays Rs 1.30 lakh crore as tax, but in return, Delhi gets nothing from the Centre," Kejriwal said.
later, briefing the media bout the outcome of the meeting, Rural Development Minister and AAP's Delhi Convener Gopal Rai said that the AAP will also hold a state-level workers' convention on July one at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here to announce the party's future steps on the demand. Rai claimed that the people of Delhi were unable to get their full rights even after 70 years of Independence and that was impeding the all- round growth.
"When people in other States vote and pay taxes, the State is ruled by their elected Governments. But, here in Delhi, despite voting and paying taxes, the Delhi Government elected by them does not have any power. This is an insult to the Constitution of India," Rai said.
"In no State can a government come with more majority (than the AAP in Delhi). But even after that, the people in Delhi are compelled to look at the lieutenant Governor for the smallest of works", Rai added.
Asked why the AAP was doing all this after enjoying power for three years, Rai said: "In the past three years, we have done every possible thing -- from requesting to praying to the Home Ministry to the lieutenant Governor. But as the speed of developmental works is slowed, we are forced to take this step. The AAP leader said that the party is ready to share powers with the Centre."
"The reason for Delhi not accorded the status of a state is that it is the national Capital. We are ready for the New Delhi Municipal Council areas under the Centre. But there are no embassies in Burari and Narela areas -- why should people from these areas suffer even when there is no Central Government office in these areasIJ" Rai asked.
The AAP Government had called a special Assembly session -- which is scheduled to conclude on Monday now -- to press its demand for full statehood to Delhi. A resolution tabled in the Assembly would be passed and forwarded to the Centre, Rai said.