AAP hails SC verdict as 'big victory'; BJP says it should shun demand for full statehood

The AAP today termed the Supreme Court verdict on the confrontation between its government and the LG as a "big victory" for the people and democracy, even as the Delhi BJP said the ruling party should now shun its "political demand" of full statehood to the city.

The Supreme Court today handed a major victory to Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in his bitter power tussle with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, ruling that the LG has no independent power to take decisions and is bound by the elected government's advice.

The Congress said the verdict had done away with all possibilities of a "blame game" between the BJP and the AAP and now, the two parties should ensure that the development of the national capital, which was "stalled" for years, is resumed.

Soon after the verdict, Kejriwal tweeted, "A big victory for the people of Delhi... a big victory for democracy..."
"It is now decided that Delhi is an UT. So, the AAP and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should stop raising the full statehood demand."
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said, "Since the apex court has clarified about the powers in Delhi, we hope that the development, which has been stalled ever since the Congress was voted out of power over four years ago, will start again."