With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) setting conditions for unconditional support, the Delhi Congress on Saturday hit out at the Arvind Kejriwal-led party for making excuses and shying away from its responsibilities. Congress MlA from Ballimaran and former Power Minister Haroon Yusuf dared the party to respect the mandate.
Responding to the 18 points mentioned by Kejriwal in a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, the former Delhi Minister said all issues raised in the communiqué require administrative approval and a Government is capable of doing so. “Only the Government or Cabinet is competent to take decisions regarding governance. The party, which supports from outside unconditionally, cannot intervene in any manner hence, Kejriwal and his Cabinet will be independent to work as per its manifesto,” said Yusuf, in a Press conference at his residence.
Gandhi Nagar MlA Arvinder Singh lovely and Okhla MlA Asif Mohammad Khan were also present on the occasion. It was further added that the AAP leaders are creating confusion among the public by propagating that the Congress will create hurdles in implementing its promises announced in the party manifesto. “The administrative body of the Government has power to execute these promises after a go-ahead from the Cabinet. The AAP is spreading rumour that Congress will withdraw support before the Budget Session, but the fact is that once a political party announces support to the Government, no no-confidence motion can be brought for six months. The AAP has said it will fulfil its promises in one month, so they will get enough time — six months to implement its manifesto,” added Yusuf.
Speaking on the occasion, lovely said that AAP leaders are trying to keep people in a dilemma till the parliamentary elections for getting political benefit only. “Kejriwal should understand if he wants to bring the power tariff down, they can do, if they want a probe against corruption, they can do that, they don’t have to ask the Assembly, it’s a Cabinet decision. How does the Opposition come into picture,” he said.
Singh said their support does not mean interference in day-to-day work, “if they want to reduce water tariff they can do that as the Chief Minister is Chairman of the Delhi Jal Board.
“The Government has to be competent enough to arrange funds for all these things. If they feel they can’t arrange then they should not do it but we won’t be arranging funds for their plans,” he added.