Kejriwal declares war on L-G, says he is 'saving job' | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
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Kejriwal declares war on L-G, says he is 'saving job'

Hindustan Times | ByDarpan Singh, New Delhi
Aug 04, 2014 09:19 AM IST

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday attacked Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung for ‘trying to save his job by not favouring dissolution of the assembly’. He also expressed confidence that his party would form the government easily in Delhi if elections were held today.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday attacked Delhi L-G Najeeb Jung for ‘trying to save his job by not favouring dissolution of the assembly’. He also expressed confidence that his party would form the government easily in Delhi if elections were held today.

“If the Lieutenant Governor writes (to the Centre) that the assembly should be dissolved and recommends elections, polls will be held in Delhi. But he wants to save his job. The BJP (-led Central government) will throw him out in five minutes if he does not listen to them. He dances to their tunes,” Kejriwal said.


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Addressing a rally of AAP volunteers at the popular protest hotspot of Jantar Mantar, the former Delhi chief minister said, “If elections were held today, AAP will get 40 seats. In October, we would get 50. The number will go up to 55 in February and if BJP does not hold elections even by February, they will not even get enough seats to claim the post of the leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. We’re in no hurry. With time, our chances are growing”.

Delhi has been without an elected government for five months and the assembly is under suspended animation. AAP has been saying that people are bearing the brunt of corruption and price rise. Under President’s rule, Delhi’s L-G Najeeb Jung is the administrative head. Jung, who initially did not favour dissolution of the Assembly, is likely to send a report to the Centre shortly on the political situation in the city.

Despite winning 28 of the 70 seats in the December 2013 assembly elections, AAP pulled the plug on its own government in February to fight the Lok Sabha polls. But now the party fears that the BJP may take a shot at forming the government by weaning away Congress and AAP MLAs.

AAP MLAS being lured, threatened
“BJP tried to buy our 15 MLAs and threatened them. They could not influence even one. BJP does not want elections because their internal survey says if elections are held today, they will be decimated. Congress may not retain even two of its eight seats. Voting for them is a waste of vote,” Kejriwal said in his 35-minute speech.

‘Back to power in 5 months’
Kejriwal expressed confidence that AAP would come back to power in four-five months and made a strong political pitch to regain lost ground. “We would fix the corrupt and check inflation. Only AAP can rid the people of Delhi of their problems; only AAP can reform power discoms,” he said, adding, “BJP and Congress had decided to join hands and form the government but we spoiled their party.”

The BJP had emerged as the single largest party after the assembly polls in December last year with 32 seats, including ally Akali Dal’s one MLA. The AAP government resigned on February 14, 2013 after it resigned on the issue of tabling the Janlokpal Bill.

But many attributed the decision to the party’s willingness to fight the April 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It backfired as the party won only four of the 434 seats it fought — all in Punjab. It could not win even a single seat in Delhi.

This was Kejriwal’s sharpest attack against Jung. The former Delhi CM used to have a good rapport with the L-G.

It is believed that the former Jamia Millia Islamia vice-chancellor played a crucial role in persuading then CM Kejriwal to give up his protest at Rail Bhavan.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
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