AAP govt adamant on venue decision, rejects Jung's request

Says it'll go ahead with its plans to hold a special session of Delhi Assembly at a public venue

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government today turned down Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's request to reconsider decision to hold a special session of Delhi Assembly for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill at a stadium, saying it would go ahead with its plans to hold the exercise at a public venue.

"Lt Governor has requested the government to reconsider the decision. The matter was raised once again in the cabinet. After discussion it was decided that government would go ahead with its earlier decision and once again request Lt Governor to assist it in holding the session in an open space," Education and PWD Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Earlier, Jung had asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to review the decision as Delhi police had expressed reservation over it citing possible law and order situation.

Rejecting the Delhi Police's plea, Sisodia said, "Surprisingly, Delhi police has expressed its inability to provide security at an open place. It is the same police which has provided security to much bigger events related to sports or religious festivals in Delhi.

"In such a case how it is so difficult to provide security at a stadium for just 4-5 hours. I don't know why police is so discouraged in providing security," he added.

To a query on where the government has finally decided to hold the special session, Sisodia said it would finalised at a later stage. When asked whether government can decide to hold session outside Vidhan Sabha premises, he said this decision falls under the jurisdiction of the government and the Speaker.