AAP announces national anti-graft campaign from February 23; says Congress-BJP are hand-in-glove to oppose Jan Lokpal Bill

Latest updates:
* LG Najeeb Jung rejects recommendation for dissolution of Delhi Assembly; suggests suspended animation

* Dubbing the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi as the "worst ever", BJP leader Arun Jaitley today said its decision to step down over the issue Jan Lokpal was like a "nightmare" finally getting over. Read more

* AAP announces nation-wide anti-graft campaign against Congress and BJP from February 23.

* AAP failed as it went beyond constitution, says former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. "Though AAP tried to tackle Delhi's problem, but I don't think they succeeded because they started going beyond the constitution... and that is when they really failed," she said. Read more

* Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung forwards Arvind Kejriwal's resignation to President Pranab Mukherjee

* We are fighting against corruption, and since we were unable to bring Janlokpal Bill, Arvind Kejriwal resigned," informs AAP leader Sanjay Singh. "Congress-BJP joined hands to oppose the Bill, because there was a decision to file FIR against Mukesh Ambani," he accuses.

"Congress-BJP MLAs were shouting 'we are 40' in opposition. It is clear that they are hand-in-glove," he adds.

* Arvind Kejriwal appeals to the people on Twitter:

 

Now since congress willbrule delhi thro LG, wud FIR against Mukesh Ambani be diluted? — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 15, 2014

Friends. This is decisive battle against corruption. All right thinking and patriotic people shud come together — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 15, 2014

* "We don't have the numbers so we cannot form the government in Delhi," explains BJP leader Nitin Gadkari. 

* BJP leader Vijay Goel informed that BJP will hold a dharna on Jantar Mantar to protest against the Aam Aadmi Party. Read more

* Senior lawyer and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Prashant Bhushan on Saturday said that after rejection of the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Assembly, the party was left with no option but to quit as it was their first promise in the manifesto. "Our biggest responsibility was to form a corruption-free government and run it. It was our first promise in the manifesto. But if the BJP and the Congress are not letting us pass the bill, then what is the point of us staying in power," Bhushan said. Read more

* Congress and the BJP members including Kiran Bedi have accused Arvind Kejriwal of resigning the AAP government in Delhi for national ambitions.

Did CM delhi resign for Lokpal or LokSabha? Because he is keeping Lokpal issue alive even when it is good law! He does not tell people this! — Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) February 14, 2014

 

Party leader Yogendra Yadav, however, today responded by saying that his party will fight the upcoming General Elections under Arvind Kejriwal's leadership. He also said that AAP knew about Congress' intentions. Read here

*  Vinod Kumar Binny went so far as to say that the exit was preplanned. "They made a plan 60 days ago. I used to work with them. They planned to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill in such an undemocratic manner that it can't be cleared, and they would exit the power thereafter. Their main agenda isn't the Jan Lokpal Bill; it is the upcoming Lok Sabha elections," he says. Read here

* AAP leaders hold a meeting to decide the future course of action. Read more

* BJP leader RS Prasad defends Narendra Modi, says, "People of India are behind Modi and not Mukesh Ambani."

* "I will propose my name for chief minister's post," says independent MLA Rambir Shokeen who plans to meet the Congress, BJP leaders and the LG to discuss the same. "Only good thing Kejriwal did during his time was to resign. Governance not his cup of tea; I can work much better than him," he adds.

* Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is expected to submit his report to the Centre and President Pranab Mukherjee today on follow up action. A "factual report" along with resignation of the Government and the Cabinet's recommendation. Read more

* "We are ready for reelections, whenever they are held," RP Singh, BJP MLA

* BJP's Delhi unit will meet at 11:00 am today to decide on future course of action.

Full story:

The fourth day of Delhi Assembly conculded yesterday with the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal with AAP government having failed to get the Jan Lokpal Bill tabled. 

The LG’s order, written to the Speaker, was put to vote. Both the BJP and the Congress voted in favour of Jung’s observation, leaving AAP at the receiving end. After the Bill was stalled, Kejriwal said: “I can sacrifice one thousand chief ministerships to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill.” Kejriwal then left for the AAP headquarters at Hanuman Road, where hundreds of supporters had already gathered.

Now, Delhi might see a re-election if the LG dissolves the assembly. The LG may even invite the BJP again, which has the maximum seats. The party has 33 seats in the 70-member assembly. But the BJP is unlikely to accept the invitation and may press for immediate dissolution of the House. Read more here

Here's how the episode of Kejriwal's resignation unfolded Friday evening.

Also read:
AAP and its anti-politics
Did Arvind Kejriwal play 'martyr' politics or he was the 'real' victim?