New Delhi: On the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) losing 20 lawmakers disqualified for holding offices of profit, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia questioned today in an open letter, "Is it fair to push Delhi into an election like this?"
The letter, addressed to the citizens of Delhi, ended with this appeal: "I have faith in you. You will give a fitting and effective reply."
AAP has challenged the disqualification of its legislators from the Delhi assembly by President Ram Nath Kovind, on the recommendation of the Election Commission.
"Is it justified to remove elected lawmakers in this unconstitutional and illegal manner? Isn't it dirty politics?" Mr Sisodia questioned in the letter in Hindi that critics said looked like AAP's early pitch for by-polls that seem inevitable.
Mr Sisodia targeted the BJP government at the centre. The letter gave a detailed explanation on the legislators who had been parliamentary secretaries between March 2015 and September 2016.
"We had given these legislators different responsibilities...like looking after schools or hospitals...they were not given any official car or house, and not even a paisa as salary...How is it an office of profit then?" Mr Sisodia said.
Accusing the BJP of "trying every trick" to harass the AAP government in its three years in power, he referred to the criminal cases against AAP MLAs and the CBI raid at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office in 2015.
AAP's number two leader detailed what his government had achieved in the past three years, and plans for the next two years. He alleged that the centre's strategy was to keep Delhi in election mode this year as well as the next -- when national polls are due -- so that the AAP government would be unable to do its job because of the model code of conduct.
"They are worried, scared about the speed at which the Kejriwal government is working and Kejriwal's growing popularity."
AAP leaders had requested President Kovind to hear their version before deciding on the Election Commission's recommendation, but he signed off on disqualifying the party's MLAs yesterday.
The letter, addressed to the citizens of Delhi, ended with this appeal: "I have faith in you. You will give a fitting and effective reply."
AAP has challenged the disqualification of its legislators from the Delhi assembly by President Ram Nath Kovind, on the recommendation of the Election Commission.
Mr Sisodia targeted the BJP government at the centre. The letter gave a detailed explanation on the legislators who had been parliamentary secretaries between March 2015 and September 2016.
Advertisement
Accusing the BJP of "trying every trick" to harass the AAP government in its three years in power, he referred to the criminal cases against AAP MLAs and the CBI raid at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office in 2015.
Advertisement
"They are worried, scared about the speed at which the Kejriwal government is working and Kejriwal's growing popularity."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
BJP Huddle In UP Today To Review By-Election Preps After Big Poll Setback Court Allows 26 Luxury Cars Owned By Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar To Be Sold Poll Body Gives Aggrieved Candidates Choice On How They Want To Check EVMs 2,200 Jobs, 25,000 Aspirants: Air India Spot Sparks Stampede Scare In Mumbai 4 Top Leaders Quit Ajit Pawar's Party In Major Setback After Poll Drubbing Trump's Running Mate Calls UK "Truly Islamist State With Nuclear Weapons CO2 Butter Tastes Authentic, Says Startup Challenging Traditional Dairy Delhi Doctors Report Rise In Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease In Children World Emoji Day 2024: Know Date, History And Significance Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.