Kejriwal warns public of more trouble over power

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assured Delhiites that they would not have to live without electricity, although he did ask the people to be ready for "some difficulties" in case power distribution companies continued with their "blackmailing" tactics.

Amid the continuing stand-off between the AAP government and Anil Ambani's BSES discoms, which are pressing for a hike in power tariffs, Kejriwal said that he had no personal issue with either the Ambani or the Tatas, who run another discom in the capital. "We would be very happy to work with them if they want to do honest business," he said.

Providing uninterrupted power to Delhi was part of the terms of licence for the discoms, Kejriwal said, adding that "if they (discoms) violate the terms... Then they better go". He warned the discoms that they will not be allowed to "blackmail" the people of the city and assured that his government would not let "Delhiites live without power".

"This is not only my struggle. It is a collective struggle and we will have to fight together. If we want to stop the blackmail, we should be ready for some difficulties in the transition period and everyone will have to bear it," he said.

Alleging that there was "active collusion" between the companies and the previous Congress government, Kejriwal said that the power tariff would be decided on the basis of the CAG scrutiny of the three private discoms.

"There was active collusion between the companies and the previous government. Now the message to them is very clear. We would be very happy to work with them if they want to do honest business. We have no personal issues with either Tatas or Ambanis."

BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd supply electricity to 70 per cent of the consumers in Delhi while Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd caters to the rest of the areas, except the localities under New Delhi Municipal Council.

"We are neither friends nor enemies. But if they want to function the same way like they did previously, that wouldn't work," the chief minister said.

CM threatens to quit over pet Bill

Upping the ante over the Jan Lok Pal Bill, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday threatened to resign if his pet anti-graft legislation is not passed by the state Assembly due to lack of support from other parties.

A day after he said he can "go to any extent" over the "huge" issue of corruption, Kejriwal said he does not have the right to stay in office if the contentious legislation does not get the approval of the Assembly.