Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi chief minister following row on Jan Lokpal Bill

Updates:

* Congress, BJP take jibe at Arvind Kejriwal after he resigns. Read more

* Arvind Kejriwal's resignation scripted, pre-planned drama: Arvinder Singh Lovely

* Events leading to resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. Read more

* BJP ready for fresh assembly poll in Delhi. Read more

* Arvind Kejriwal meets Lt governor Najeeb Jung, hands over resignation. Read more

* AAP office was prepared in advance for Arvind Kejriwal's resignation speech

* AAP supporters angered with BJP, Congress for government's fall

Undeterred by a steady drizzle and the cold evening, hundreds of AAP supporters gathered to hear Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as he announced his decision to quit and voiced anger at the BJP and Congress "plan" for forcing the government's downfall. Read more

* Arvind Kejriwal remains people's hero after resignation

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation has only raised his stock among the common people of Delhi, the 'aam admi', who form his core support base and who believe he will come back to power with a more emphatic majority and play a larger national role after the general election. Read more

* Arvind Kejriwal seeks fresh elections in Delhi. Read more

* Arvind Kejriwal, the man in a hurry

Arvind Kejriwal, who pledged to root out corruption after steering AAP to power in Delhi, was a man in a hurry and set a scorching pace to try to fulfil his anti-graft legislative agenda but his tumultous journey as Chief Minister ended in seven weeks. Read more

* A kejriwal & Aap gave false promises to get votes & now since they cannot fulfil those promises, are looking for excuses to quit.

—Shahnawaz Hussai @ShahnawazBJP

Kejriwal knows he can'nt fulfill the tall promises made by him so running away from responsibilty

Janlokpal bill is an excuse to quit.Its easy for him to abuse frm outside but too difficult to resolve in the capacity of CM

—Lalu Prasad Yadav  @laluprasadrjd

I was quite on all charges levelled against me only because of the greed of getting janlokpal bill through but bjp/cong blocked it.

—Adv. Somnath Bharti @attorneybharti

Reactions from people

Kejriwal is probably the biggest joke in recent history. A mockery of politics.

—Amit Bhowmik @amitvelo 

Ohhh Poor Delhi! Despite flaws, we should give credit to Arvind Kejriwal for reinvigorating the political scenario in India.

—Richard Kamei @Ridchard

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Arvind Kejriwal's resignation letter to the LG pic.twitter.com/CVTXsWuVHB — sonal mehrotra (@sonalndtv) February 14, 2014

* I pray to God to give me the strength to die for my country

* They say assembly is a temple of democracy. Do they vandalise their place of worship like this?: Kejriwal

* We have worked night and day for the last 48 days for the people of Delhi: Kejriwal

* BJP MLAs threw bangles at one of our ministers. Then they say we respect women: Kejriwal

* BJP and Congress could not lessen corruption in last 65 years and now advise us on governance: Kejriwal

* Delhi assembly should be dissolved and re-elections should take place: Kejriwal

* We have tendered our resignations: Kejriwal

* Mukesh Ambani said Congress is his shop, he is also close to Narendra Modi. From where does Modi get so much money for his rallies? Kejriwal

* Just because we registered an FIR against Mukesh Ambani, both BJP & Congress joined hands against us: Kejriwal 

* Kejriwal addressing party volunteers, says Jan Lokpal Bill was not allowed to be introduced, BJP and Congress united to oppose it.

*  Kejriwal to meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to submit his resignation. 

* Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi chief minister following row on Jan Lokpal Bill. Read here

* I can even give my life for the country and its people,  chief ministership is no big deal, says Kejriwal. "This appears to be our last session," he says in the Delhi Assembly.

* "Its sad that there is so much chaos inside the temple of democracy, mikes are broken, papers torn," says Arvind Kejriwal. "We had thought we would learn from veteran legislators, but we are somewhat disappointed."

* As of now nothing is ruled out, will decide next course of action after meeting, says Yogendra Yadav on possibility of Kejriwal's resignation. Read here

* "If you have some self-respect left, then resign as promised," says Singh Chauhan, BJP. "AAP thinks they are above the constitution.They are not respecting views of LG and president," he added.

* Delhi High Court agrees to hear on Tuesday a plea against LG's power to prevent tabling of a bill in the Assembly.

* 42 MLAs are against and 27 are for introduction of the Janlokpal Bill, announces Delhi Assembly Speaker MS Dhir.

* Harsh Vardhan reads out LG's letter over Jan Lokpal Bill, and adds, “AAP government does not enjoy the power to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill.”

* Minutes after tabling the Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi Assembly Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that discussion on the introduction of the Bill will be held, even though MS Dhir has given his nod for discussion.

* Congress MLAs surround speaker in protest, even as Arvind Kejriwal tabled the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi Assembly. The assembly had to be adjourned. Read here

* AAP accuses Lt Governor Najeeb Jung of playing politics. "He is not empowered to dictate to the Legislature and is breaching the constitutional supremacy of legislature"

* BJP MLAs seek vote on Najeeb Jung's letter to MS Dhir over Jan Lokpal. AAP MLAs dare BJP to debate on Jan Lokpal Bill

* A BJP leader also demanded that Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's letter to the Speaker be tabled in the Assembly. He further said that disobeying Lt Governor's order is contempt of the Assembly. The Speaker had refused to present Jung's letter in the Assembly when demanded by the BJP leaders. Although, he did read out the letter, even as BJP leaders demand voting be conducted over it.

* BJP MLA holds a banner with the demand for water, a jibe at Arvind Kejriwal's promised water policy.

BJP MLA from Bijwasan, Satya prakash Rana wearing a banner reading 'Kejriwal Pani Do' in the assembly pic.twitter.com/uqHrctAZUb — ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2014

 

BJP MLA Satya Prakash Rana and Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Sirsa protest in the well of the house in the Delhi Assembly pic.twitter.com/6fIVoarXR1 — ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2014

* Congress and BJP today questioned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi Government's "hasty" move to push for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill in the Assembly and said the legislation needs to be brought through proper procedure. Read here

 

* JD(U) leader Shoiab Iqbal demands Jan Lokpal Bill to be tabled in a constitutional manner. Congress also made a similar statement saying they will back a constitutionally passed Jan Lokpal bill. Read here 

*  Taking a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's offer to resign from his post, Delhi Congress leader Haroon Yusuf on Friday said the nation can't be fooled any longer by the AAP leader's political ploys. "He has made it a habit of offering to resign. He was talking about resignation even before coming to power. But the people of India can't be fooled by his tactics," he stated. Read here.

* Delhi law minister has to be sacked for his behaviour: Harshvardhan stated. "Madan Lal Khurana ji and BJP had ensured Delhi got a Lokayukta," he points out. Harshvardhan had previously tweeted his support to AAP for Janlokpal bill and had asked Arvind Kejriwal to end 'drama'. 

He also targeted Law Minister Somnath Bharti and said he should be sacked. "These days there is a trend going on which is showcasing that all the politicians irrespective of political parties are corrupt and are against Jan Lokpal Bill, Harshvardhan said. "We are thousand times more committed than AAP govt for the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill," the BJP leader said. 

* Uproar in Delhi Assembly by Opposition MLAs demanding suspension of question hour on Ravidas Jayanti

Family of CM Arvind Kejriwal sitting in the visitor's gallery in the Delhi assembly pic.twitter.com/svM2Jwlbsy — ANI (@ANI_news) February 14, 2014

* Arvind Kejriwal should behave like a CM and follow the law of the land, V Narayanasamy, MoS, PMO. Read more here

* Commenting on the repeated threats of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to resign if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the Delhi Assembly, the BJP said that AAP has made the bill a 'political toy'. BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: "It is very sad to know that the party, which was formed because of the Jan Lokpal Bill, has made this bill a political toy. They have turned the Lokpal into a 'Jokepal', and now everybody is laughing on them. They should respect the constitution and certain provision which are provided in it," he said. Read more here.

* There will be no compromise on the Jan Lokpal Bill," Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said as the Aam Aadmi Party government readied to table the bill in the assembly. "People are asking us what will we do now? However, we just have one pledge and there will be no compromise on the Jan Lokpal Bill," Sisodia said in a tweet.

लोग पूछ रहे हैं - क्या करोगे? एक ही संकल्प - जनलोकपाल पर कोई समझौता नहीं। — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 14, 2014

Full story:

"We did not introduce the bill today(Thursday) as we wanted the copy of the bill to be seen by all the MLAs (legislators). We will table it tomorrow (Friday)," he told reporters. Read here.

Despite the union law ministry's opinion late Wednesday that the central government's prior consent is mandatory for introducing Jan Lokpal bill in the assembly, the AAP government was firm on its stand of bringing it in the assembly. 

The Law Ministry has held that the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) make it mandatory that the Lt Governor refers to the Centre every legislative proposal which may necessitate additional financial assistance.

On the other hand, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today advised the Delhi Assembly Speaker against allowing tabling of the Jan Lokpal Bill by the Aam Aadmi Party government, which said it will not revisit the issue. In a letter to Assembly Speaker MS Dhir, the LG said the AAP government did not go through the laid down procedures in getting approval for tabling of the bill and as custodian of the House he should consider these aspects while dealing with the issue. Kejriwal has been maintaining that there was no need to obtain prior approval from the Centre or Lt Governor to table the bill while BJP and Congress are of the view that clearance was necessary under Transaction of Business Rules (TBR), 2002.

The first day of the session specially convened to pass the anti-graft legislation saw a stormy start with BJP and Congress repeatedly disrupted the proceedings leading to the house's adjournment by Speaker MS Dhir. 

What is the Jan Lokpal Bill?
The proposed Jan Lokpal Bill, has been the clarion call for the Aam Aadmi Party since the very beginning, setting a foundation stone to the party's manifesto during the Delhi Assembly elections in 2013. 

It differs in many ways than the existing draft Lokpal Bill of 2010. While the complete bill, available on AAP's website, here are some of the key features of the proposed bill:

- Lokayukta: The Jan Lokpal Bill will establish a central government anti-corruption institution called Lokpal, supported by Lokayukta at the state level. 

- Independent: Like Supreme Court of India and Cabinet Secretariat, the Lokpal will be supervised by the Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission. It will be completely independent of government and ministerial influence.

- Appointment: Members will be appointed by judges, IAS officers with a clean record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process. A selection committee will invite short-listed candidates for interviews, the video recordings of which will thereafter be made public. 

- Published cases: Every month on its website, the Lokayukta will publish a list of cases dealt with, brief details of each, their outcome and any action taken or proposed. It will also publish lists of all cases received by the Lokayukta during the previous month.

- Timed investigation: Inquiry has to be completed within 60 days and investigation to be completed within six months. Lokpal shall order an investigation only after hearing the public servant. 

- Reparation: Losses to the government by a corrupt individual will be recovered at the time of conviction. Government office-work required by a citizen that is not completed within a prescribed time period will result in Lokpal imposing financial penalties on those responsible, which will then be given as compensation to the complainant.

- Self monitor: Complaints against any officer of Lokpal will be investigated and completed within one month and, if found to be substantive, will result in the officer being dismissed within two months.

- Investigation: Existing anti-corruption agencies (CVC), departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption branch of the CBI will be merged into Lokpal which will have complete power authority to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.

- Whistle-blowers: Those who alert the agency to potential corruption cases will also be provided with protection.

 

Also read:

Will Arvind Kejriwal’s Janlokpal bill be end of AAP government?