AAP govt says it is battle-ready, hardens position on powers

On completion of 100 days in office, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Sunday mounted a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi dispensation accusing it of making a "U-turn"on granting full statehood to Delhi and indicated tabling a resolution to reject the "unconstitutional" notification giving absolute powers to the Lieutenant Governor. Further hardening its position, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the AAP government will not compromise on the issue and alleged that the Centre was trying to run Delhi "by hook or by crook" and violating the "federal structure".

The party legislators went into a huddle with the top leadership at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence ahead of the two-day 'emergency' session of the Delhi assembly starting Tuesday.

The MLAs slammed the Centre's "infringement" on their rights, setting the tone for the Assembly session. The party has strength of 67 in a House of 70. Sources said there will be an "open" cabinet meeting at a public event on Monday on the occasion of 100 days of the AAP government, where the full statehood issue is likely to be discussed.

Though the MLAs refused to come on record on whether the party would move a resolution against the home ministry's notification, the sources said such a step was "very likely".

"Modiji himself said and they put it in their manifesto to give Delhi full statehood. Now, when the issue has come up, let alone our right, or talking about it, they are trying to bully us (dadagiri dikha rahen hain). Delhi government will not be mum on the issue," Sisodia alleged.

The deputy chief minister said he has "hope" from the upcoming session as the "assembly is the mother of government and it is a supreme and empowered body." In the campaign for Lok Sabha polls last year, the Bharatiya Janata Party had promised to declare Delhi a full state if the party came to power, noting that it will help ensure proper coordination between various agencies.