Aam Aadmi Party seeks public opinion on Delhi government formation

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday said is seeking the opinion of Delhi’s residents on whether it should form a minority government with support from either the Congress or the BJP parties or prepare for a re-election.

National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the party has written a letter to the people of Delhi. He said that 25 lakh copies of the letter will be distributed to the people, who can send in their SMS responses in “yes” and “no” on a dedicated number.

“We are not shying from our responsibility,” said Kejriwal after a meeting of AAP members on Tuesday afternoon. “Unlike other parties, we do not want to take a decision behind closed doors and are seeking the people’s opinion on what we should do.”

The party will seek responses until Sunday. "We will make public our stand on Monday and convey it to Lieutenant Governor," said Kejriwal.

A political vacuum has enveloped the national capital since results of the Delhi Assembly election were announced on December 8. No party won the required 36 seats to form a government. The BJP, with 31 seats, said it won’t form the government. The party and the Congress both offered to support a minority government led by AAP, which won 28 seats.

AAP has sought time from Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to decide on government formation, and sought the views of the Congress and the BJP on 18 key issues, including doing away with VIP culture. Both the parties declined to support any of the 18 issues. Jung has meanwhile sent a factual report to the president, which could pave the way for president’s rule in the state.