Kejriwal hints at resignation

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today gave enough indications that his government may quit after the BJP and Congress combined to defeat introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill which he tabled in the Assembly defying Lt Governor's advice.

"This appears to be our last session. I will consider myself fortunate if I have to sacrifice the chief minister's post 1,000 times and my life to eradicate corruption," he said in a brief speech in the Assembly after his government suffered defeat on its pet anti-graft legislation.

On a day of dramatic developments in the Assembly lasting over four hours, the 45-year-old Chief Minister, who has had a roller coaster ride ever since he took over reins of power on December 28, last year, accused the Congress and BJP of "colluding" with each other against the Bill after his government ordered filing an FIR against RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Uproarious scenes were earlier witnessed in the House on the issue of introduction of the Bill with BJP and Congress forcing the Speaker to read out the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's advice to the Assembly against tabling the measure since it was not in accordance with procedures laid down under the law.

After an adjournment with opposition notably BJP leader Harshavardhan and Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely demanding voting on the Lt Governor's advice and government opposing it, Kejriwal dramatically rose to table the Jan Lokpal Bill.

This attacking provoked the opposition which contended that the government had no right to introduce a Bill against Lt Governor's advice and such step would be "unconstitutional".

Chaotic scenes prevailed and Speaker M S Dhir was forced to adjourn the House. When the House resumed again, the treasury benches demanded a discussion which was also resisted by the opposition who insisted on voting.

After some melee, the Speaker put the resolution seeking leave for introduction of the Bill to vote. The Bill was defeated in the introduction stage itself with 42 members voting against it and only 27 in favour.

After the resolution for the Bill's introduction was defeated, AAP sources said Kejriwal may take the "extreme step of resigning soon".

"The Chief Minister feels there is no point in remaining in the government," the sources told PTI, adding all the party workers have been asked to come for consultations at the AAP headquarters.