Stop practicing double standards: Kejriwal tells BJP, Congress

Unleashing a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was adopting double standards on the issue surrounding appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries.

Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal named a few Parliamentary Secretaries appointed in the past by previous governments.

"The Modi government wants to disqualify 21 MLAs from Delhi. There is saying '100 chuhe kha ke billi hajj ko chali', this applies both with the BJP and the Congress," Kejriwal said.

"When Sahib Singh Verma ji was the chief minister, he appointed Nand Kishore Garg, the then MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his Parliamentary Secretary on May 7, 1997. So, it is like if the BJP appoints a Parliamentary Secretary then it is legal and if we want to appoint the same then it illegal and unconstitutional. After that the Congress government came and Sheila Dikshit ji appointed Ajay Maken ji as her Parliamentary Secretary. These all are double standards," he added.

Kejriwal further urged Prime Minister Modi not to disrupt Delhi's development because of his personal grudges.

"I have such talented MLAs I want to utilise them for the betterment of Delhi. Want to request Modi ji with folded hands that do whatever you want to me, but don't let the people of Delhi suffer," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal yesterday alleged that Prime Minister Modi is 'scared' of the AAP.

The Delhi Government Bill to exclude the post of Parliamentary Secretary from the office of profit has been refused assent by the President, raising questions over the fate of 21 AAP MLAs, who have been appointed to the posts.

The AAP Government had sought an amendment to the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualification) Act, 1997 through which it had sought "retrospective" exemption for the parliamentary secretaries from disqualification provisions.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung forwarded the Bill to the Centre, which in turn was sent to the President with comments.