Congress replies to AAP, says their 16 issues related to administrative work

The Congress on Monday replied to the letter sent by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and said the majority of the issues raised by him, are related to administrative work and there is no need for the government to take their support on these issues.

Congress Delhi in-charge Shakeel Ahmed said it is not necessary for the government to consult parliament or assembly regarding the administrative work.

"There is no need for an agreement on sixteen conditions as they are related to the administrative work. Once the government is formed, then there is no need to go to the parliament or the assembly for the administrative work. Maybe because of lack of experience they raised these issues. There is no need for our support on these sixteen issues," Ahmed said.

Further, explaining party's reply to the AAP, Ahmed said, "There are two issues which are out of the purview of the Delhi government. First, to give Delhi the status of a state. This point is there even in our manifesto. We will support them when they will raise this issue with the Central government. Second issue is of Lokpal. We told them that there is a powerful Lokayukta in Delhi. Plus this week, there are chances that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in Parliament. If they want an amendment in the Lokayukta Act of Delhi which is not in violation of any parliamentary guideline, then we will definitely support them."

Kejriwal on Saturday had written letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh asking their stand on the 18 key issues.

Listing his 18 conditions, he had said, "After their response on these issues comes in, we will hold meeting with the public and whatever their decision is, we will accept it. Whether the public wants a re-election or should we form government with support of the BJP and the Congress. This is what we have told the Lieutenant Governor."

"No support is unconditional. Why are they suddenly offering support to our party? Congress is offering unconditional support and the BJP is offering constructive support. We will ponder upon it, once they reply to our letters," he added.

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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the single largest group in the 70-seat house with 31 members has refused to form a government.

The Congress says that a number of senior leaders in Delhi are of the opinion that the party should extend unconditional support to the Aam Aadmi Party to form a government in the national capital.

AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal, however, said that his party will neither take nor extend support to either BJP or Congress to form the government. He said the AAP is ready for fresh elections in the city.

Harsh Vardhan said, his party does not have enough numbers to form a stable government and is ready to fight the election once again.