The Delhi unit of the Congress Party on Thursday maintained that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can only aspire to be the opposition, both at the state level and at the Centre, as it has failed time and again to measure or understand the pulse of the people from whom it was seeking electoral votes.
Participating in a debate in the Delhi State Assembly ahead of a confidence vote that is being sought by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government, the president of the Delhi unit of the Congress Party, Arvinder Singh Lovely, said that "it was an irony and comical that even after facing and experiencing a "political and revolutionary upheaval" in the December 4 state assembly elections, the BJP and its allies, which had secured the most seats — 32 — continues to remain in the opposition.
"You (the BJP) are still in the opposition inspite of targetting us (the Congress), and inspite of the political dust storm. You are still on that side (the opposition), instead of sitting in the treasury benches," said Lovely.
Referring to the Municpal Council of Delhi (MCD), which is controlled by the BJP, Lovely, looking in Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's direction, said: "Dear Mr. Kejriwal, wherever you see, you will find corruption in the MCD. Dr. Harshvardhan is being selective in his outrage over the issue of corruption.
Taking another dig at the BJP, Lovely said how could it be so sure that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would be the next Prime Minister of India, when it could not even decide on time who its chief ministerial candidate for Delhi would be.
"We first heard V K Malhotra will become CM, then we heard that Vijay Goel will be CM, and finally we heard that Dr. Harshvardan will be CM. Neither of them acquired the coveted post. It just didn't happen. In the same way, we now hear that Modi will become Prime Minister," said Lovely.
He concluded by saying that ass long as the AAP Government keeps working in the people's interest, the Congress would continue to support them.
In passing, he, however, took a dig at the AAP on the issue of reducing power tarrifs by half
"You (AAP) gave a subsidy for power tariffs, we also gave during our time in power. So, what is the difference between you and us," Lovely said.
The AAP, which emerged as the second largest party in the election with 28 MLAs, requires the support of eight more MLAs to cross the half way mark of the 70-Member Delhi Assembly. The vote of confidence will take place at 5 pm.
Meanwhile, the Congress has reportedly declared that it will continue to lend outside support to the AAP government.
Delhi Pradesh Congress President Arvinder Singh Lovely had earlier said that his party stands by its earlier decision of extending outside support to the Aam Aadmi Party.
On the other hand, the lone MLA of JDU has already announced extending support to the AAP government.
In the newly elected assembly, BJP with its ally Akali Dal has 32 MLA's, the Congress eight and one independent member.
The Delhi Assembly yesterday completed the formality of oath taking by members, including the Chief Minister and other ministers, with senior Congress member Mateen Ahmed functioning as pro-tem Speaker.
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