In yet another dramatic move, the Aam Aadmi Party has decided to seek opinion of the people of Delhi on formation of the Government. The party will write to 25 lakh voters of the city.
While most believed that the move by the AAP, which won 28 seats, is complete waste of time and resources. After meeting with its MlAs, party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that on the basis of the feedback from the public, the party will take the final call by Monday.
“As we are a party made by the common man, we will continue with our tradition of getting public feedback for making any big decision. AAP came as an alternative to corrupt parties so it’s a tough decision to make as far as joining any such party is concerned. Hence we want the public opinion,” said Kejriwal after meeting the selected 28 MlAs in Kaushambi on Tuesday.
The AAP will distribute letters to citizens through 270 Jan Sabhas which will be held across the city and people would be able to send their opinions also through SMSes and on the party’s website www.aamaadmiparty.org. “We have clearly mentioned all the issues we had sought replies on and our confusion in the letter which we will personally hand over to the public in our Jan Sabhas to be held in all 70 constituencies. We want the people of the Capital to advise us in the next five days. Based on the opinion of people, we will announce our decision on December 23,” said Kejriwal.
Denying that his party was shying away from forming the Government, Kejriwal said, “We are capable of forming and running the Government, but it is tough to trust Congress. AAP was born to end the corrupt political system and the parties behind it. We never wanted their support; they offered it on their own.”
He also hit out the BJP for not responding to the letter of AAP seeking clarity on 18 issues. “The BJP could have at least replied to the letter which was in public domain. I think Rajnath Singh feels that it is below his stature to reply to us,” said Kejriwal.
On being asked that their decision is prolonging the agony of Delhi, the party MlAs felt that “a delay of five days would be worthwhile for the next five years”.
“This party has been formed to serve the people with honesty and not fall into traps of other parties and make hasty decisions. It is a matter of five years, can’t we take five more daysIJ” said Satyendra Kumar Jain, AAP’s MlA from Shakur Basti.
Earlier in the day, a meeting of the PAC members was held at Kejriwal’s residence in Kaushambi which went on for nearly three hours but could not reach a conclusion. After that, the leaders decided to call the MlAs and discuss with them before taking a final decision. The nine members of party’s PAC include Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Kumar Vishwas, Gopal Rai and Prashant Bhushan while Yogendra Yadav and Sanjay Singh remained absent.
Following the unconditional support that was extended to AAP on December 13 by Congress which got punched in the face with just eight seats in the elections, Kejriwal wrote letters to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP chief Rajnath Singh and sought their parties’ opinion on 18 issues, including passing of Janlokpal Bill, full statehood to Delhi, reduction on water tariff and audit of power discoms among others, before moving ahead to form a government. Congress had then put the ball in AAP’s court, by agreeing to 16 of its 18 demands adding that these needed just administrative decisions and had nothing to do with Parliament or Assembly.