Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has declared that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is soon going to launch a city-wide “L-G Delhi Chhodo” (L-G, Quit Delhi) campaign to demand full-statehood for Delhi.
During an address to AAP’s ward-level executives and MLAs at his residence yesterday, Kejriwal said Delhi is facing severe injustice due to constant interference in governance by the Lieutenant Governor appointed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, and that is why it has become important to demand full statehood for Delhi.
Equating his proposed campaign with India’s freedom struggle, Kejriwal said Mahatma Gandhi had launched Quit India movement to demand independence from the British Raj, and AAP will initiate a similar campaign on these grounds to seek the LG’s removal from Delhi. He even said British Viceroys were removed from Delhi after India became independent in 1947, but LGs were appointed in their place instead.
The AAP chief slammed the present LG for stalling important government projects like installation of CCTV cameras and doorstep delivery of ration for poor people. He said the centre was using the LG to prevent him from providing 85% reservation in government jobs as well.
Explaining details of the campaign, Kejriwal said AAP leaders and MLAs will have been asked to hold public meetings in several places all around the capital for the first phase of this plan. Later on, AAP workers will go to every household in Delhi to explain them why it is important to ensure full statehood for Delhi.
Kejriwal’s government has also called for a special session of the state assembly to pressurize the centre into granting full statehood to Delhi. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had even moved a resolution in this regard.