The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appears set to stake claim to form the government in Delhi,with a meeting scheduled with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday afternoon. Party officials said the AAPs senior leadership would announce its decision prior to the meeting.
Kejriwal himself seemed to indicate that his party would form the government. We will deliver whatever assurances we have made in our party manifesto. It was prepared after wide consultations and a lot of thought went into it. Moreover,the people of Delhi are expecting much more from us and we will perform, he said,addressing a jan sabha in New Delhi area.
He,however,added that a final decision would be taken after collection of data on the opinion of the people from all over the city.
While collation of data of the partys referendum was conducted through Sunday evening,sources indicated that the peoples response has been overwhelmingly in favour of forming a government with outside support from the Congress.
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At the jan sabhas,and in the messages that we have received,people have by and large been supportive of AAP forming the government, said party leader Manish Sisodia.
Addressing another jan sabha in Sarojini Nagar,his last for the day,Kejriwal said,I am leaving you with one promise… if we form the government,five people will not take decisions in a closed room. We will come to you over and over again,and ask you what you want.
Following charges that the AAP would not be able to deliver on its poll promises,Kejriwal said,I do not say that God has given brains only to us to solve all the problems. Koi jadu ki chhadi nai hai (there is no magic wand). But I know that if the people of Delhi stand together,we can do anything. People used to tell us that we cant do anything. But even now,there is a long road ahead. Abhi safai aur vikas karna hai (We have to clean the system and focus on development).
Despite being elected the leader of the AAPs legislature party,Kejriwal said the chief minister would be chosen by the partys MLAs and members of its Political Affairs Committee.
AAP sources said once the government is formed,its priority would be to fulfill its promises of providing 700 litres of free water per household,and reducing electricity tariff and auditing discoms.
The AAP,which emerged as the second largest party in the Delhi Assembly elections with 28 seats,decided to seek the peoples opinion on forming a government with Congress support. Sources said while the first three days saw responses coming in via SMSes,phone calls and social media,about 270 jan sabhas were held across the city over the weekend.
We will continue to give the AAP outside support. However,this support is not unconditional and we will have to see how they govern, said Congress leader Kiran Walia.
Harsh Vardhan,leader of the BJPs legislature party,refused to comment. Let them take a final call on the formation of government and only then will the BJP comment on the matter, he said.
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