The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday decided to reach out to Delhiites for their opinion on whether the nascent party should form a minority government with Congress support.
The feedback in the form of individual letters, centralised SMSs, on social networking sites such as party’s official facebook page and its website will be gathered till Sunday before deciding on government formation on Monday.
Stung by criticism that it is running away from forming a government despite Congress support, AAP announced that it would be sending out 25 lakh letters inviting people’s views. Similarly, a centralised mobile number will receive people’s single-word opinion (yes or no) through SMS.
Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to Congress and BJP asking their views on 18 issues after the lieutenant governor invited AAP to form a government. The BJP-Akali Dal (32 seats) had declined to form the government. AAP (28 seats) was the second-largest while Congress won just eight seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly.
While the BJP refused to reply, the Congress’ reply on Monday stated that 16 issues were administrative affairs and it was with AAP on the remaining two.
{{/usCountry}}While the BJP refused to reply, the Congress’ reply on Monday stated that 16 issues were administrative affairs and it was with AAP on the remaining two.
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The party’s political affair’s committee discussed Congress’ reply, followed by a meeting of its candidates before Kejriwal went public. The meeting with candidates threw up a mixed response. Post-December 8 when result was announced, most had said they favoured re-election. But on Tuesday many said they felt that the response from ground – especially after Kejriwal’s letter – favoured AAP to form the government.
“The candidates were asked to gather public feedback. After all, it is not a question of personal opinion. Important is to find out what people want,” said a party leader.
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“AAP owes its birth to the atrocities lashed out by Congress and the BJP on people for so many years. Now how can we take support of these very parties to form a government?” Kejriwal said even as he criticised both the Congress and BJP.
Manish Sisodia, party spokesperson, said if the people voted in favour of forming a government, “the AAP will take the risk and form a government keeping in mind that there can be re-election any time.”
Video: AAP will consult people about Cong, BJP support, says Kejriwal