AAP congratulates Kejriwal for giving up power for principles

The Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Political Affairs Committee (PAC), which met earlier today to discuss the future course of action of the party, on Saturday, congratulated Arvind Kejriwal for taking a bold decision to resign from the post of chief minister and to dissolve his government.

Addressing the media after the PAC meeting, AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said, "The PAC has congratulated the Delhi Government under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal. It has set a precedent of a government, which is willing to give up power in this country where power means everything."

"Here is an example of a government which gave up power on the basis of principles. The AAP was formed, contested elections and formed the government on the basis of some key principles. One of those key principles was the Jan Lokpal," he added.

Yadav also said that the party has complimented Kejriwal for not hesitating to take a clear decision of resigning.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh announced, "Keeping this incident in mind, the party will start a nation-wide campaign against corruption for the Lok Sabha elections. The first rally under this campaign will be held in Haryana on February 23, and the second rally will held in Uttar Pradesh on March 2."

Singh also said that Kejriwal will be a part of this campaign along with other top leaders of the party.

Meanwhile, taking a view of the political uncertainty in Delhi, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, "I think the coalition of the Congress and the BJP should form the government in Delhi. We hope that they run this government with la ittle bit of honesty."

"This coalition has been in existence for the past 20 years. But in recent days, the veil over this coalition has been lifted. They have openly said that they are 40 MLA's against our 28 MLA's (with reference to the Jan Lokpal Bill) ," he added.

He requested Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung that the government has lodged FIR in big corruption cases and an inquiry into these should be conducted with utmost honesty.

On Friday, Kejriwal resigned as Delhi Chief Minister after the Assembly session was adjourned sine die following protests by the opposition over the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"Today Jan Lokpal Bill was not allowed to be introduced, BJP and Congress united to oppose it. Their true faces have been brought in front of all of us," he said to the AAP supporters who had gathered outside the party office here today.

"I did not come here for power. And today our Government has tendered its resignation. And I will consider myself fortunate if I have to sacrifice my life for the country. We had a Cabinet meeting right now, and it was decided that our government will resign," he added.

Kejriwal also said that the Delhi Assembly should be immediately dissolved, and demanded for re-elections in the state.

He further claimed the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for blocking the Bill in the House, in retaliation to the FIR filed by the Delhi Government against Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani over gas prices.