After Brexit, CM Arvind Kejriwal calls for referendum on Delhi statehood

Hours after Britain voted to leave the European Union on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for a referendum on statehood for Delhi.

Taking to micro-blogging site, Kejriwal said, "After UK referendum, Delhi will soon have a referendum on full statehood."

After UK referendum, delhi will soon have a referendum on full statehood

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 24, 2016

Echoing similar view, Ashish Khetan said that in a democracy the will of the people is supreme.

"After the UK referendum on EU exit, it's time to have a referendum on full statehood of Delhi. In a democracy the will of the people is supreme," Khetan said on Twitter.

After the UK referendum on EU exit, it's time to have a referendum on full statehood of Delhi. In a democracy the will of the ppl is supreme

— Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan) June 24, 2016

Kejriwal has been demanding full statehood of Delhi since he came to power in 2015. The full statehood demand also includes control over Delhi Police.

Last month, making the draft Bill public, the AAP government commenced first-of-its-kind online public consultation exercise by inviting Delhiites to give their opinion on the constitutional status of the national capital.​

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to push for full statehood for Delhi if it came to power. The NDA government in 2003 had brought a bill to grant full statehood to Delhi and it was tabled in Parliament.

The bill was referred to a Parliamentary Committee. But no further attempt was made to grant Delhi full statehood.

The BJP-ruled Delhi government had passed a resolution in Delhi assembly seeking full statehood for Delhi in 1993. The Congress government headed by Sheila Dikshit had also placed resolution in the Delhi assembly twice for grant of full statehood which was passed.