BJP will make more attempts to form government in Delhi, says Arvind Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal today claimed that BJP will make a couple of more attempts at forming the government in Delhi before the Assembly is dissolved.

Kejriwal also alleged that several AAP MLAs were being approached by the saffron outfit, but averred that no AAP MLA would switch sides. "These BJP people are quiet because of Pitru Paksha (considered to be an inauspicious period). Let this get over and the BJP will again start making attempt. According to our sources, it (BJP) will make an attempt on September 25 to form government, after pitru paksh is over. They will make another attempt after the Maharashtra and Haryana polls, that is between October 15 to 20," he said.

Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana is scheduled for October 15. Kejriwal also accused BJP of offering Rs 4 to 5 crore to AAP MLAs for switching sides.

"Many of our MLAs are poor, some even reside in resettlement colonies. BJP men have been offering them Rs 4 to 5 crore for switching sides, but they will not fall for it," Kejriwal told a rally at Pandwala Kalan village, bordering Haryana.

The rally was an attempt by AAP to reach out to rural voters in Delhi.

"No other party can resolve the issues of Delhi like AAP does. Not even Congress or BJP," he said, adding that, "these rural places need better infrastructure, colleges and transport services".

Kejriwal also accused BJP of being hand-in-glove with Congress to form the government in Delhi. "The marriage between BJP and Congress MLAs was almost fixed. The BJP was offering Rs 20 crore to six Congress MLAs, but we foiled their plans," he alleged.

Kejriwal, meanwhile, said he regrets the decision to have quit as the chief minister of Delhi after 49 days in power and added that he has learnt his lesson. If voted to power the next time, he would focus on Delhi and govern for the full term of five years, Kejriwal said.

"No one in India's history worked the way we did in those 49 days. We reduced prices of electricity, water and brought down corruption. If voted to power, we will stay in Delhi and rule for the full five and even 10 years," he said.