Union minister says no statehood demand for Delhi yet, AAP hits back

Union minister Hansraj Ahir’s answer in Parliament came two months after the Delhi Assembly adopted a resolution on “full statehood” during a special session.

Union minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir on Tuesday informed the Parliament that the central government has received no demand for granting statehood to Delhi.

Aam Admi Party Spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted that the Modi Govt lied to the Parliament today while answering to the Question on Delhi Statehood demand. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT File Photo)

“No, Madam (Speaker),” said Ahir in his written reply to Congress MP KV Thomas’ question whether there was a demand to grant statehood to the national capital.

The answer in Parliament came two months after the Delhi Assembly adopted a resolution on “full statehood” during a special session.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said he would campaign for the BJP if the Centre granted full statehood to Delhi.

Reacting to the minister’s reply in the Parliament, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted, “Modi Govt lied to the Parliament today while answering to the Question on Delhi Statehood demand.The Minister said there is no demand for statehood.”

Also, in a press conference, Bharadwaj told reporters, “The minister (Hansraj Ahir) said there is no demand for statehood. But the Delhi Assembly had passed a resolution on statehood demand and sent it to the ministry of home affairs on June 11, 2018. This is open contempt of the Parliament.”

He said “the central minister misled the Lok Sabha because they did not want to tell the stand of Central Govt on Statehood of Delhi.”

“Our party member of parliament will give privilege notice in Parliament to initiate contempt proceedings against the Minister for deceiving Parliament and Delhi people,” Bharadwaj said in a tweet.