Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with his supporters during his 'dharna' against the Home Minister in January (file pic)
New Delhi:
The Congress has a Catch 22 situation. It is called support to AAP.
The party was deeply divided over the decision to offer its eight MLAs to prop up the minority government of Arvind Kejriwal, the man whose rookie Aam Aadmi Party threw it out of power in Delhi. For good reason, it turns out.
Every day in the last month or so that they have been partners, Delhi Congress leaders have had reason to complain about Mr Kejriwal and co on policy and process alike. But the Congress, which can fell the Delhi government by withdrawing support, says it just cannot do that.
"We will not withdraw support...Kejriwal and his party's intentions are increasingly clear. They want to appear as martyrs before the general elections. They are neither interested in Janlokpal or swaraj as they claim," said Congress leader Haroon Yusuf, soon after Chief Minister Kejriwal announced a mega-reward for defaulters who did not pay their electricity bills last year to support the party's campaign against allegedly inflated power prices. (Read: From AAP, a big reward for those who defaulted on electricity bills)
State Congress chief Arvinder Lovely said, "How can they make such announcements...This government is only interested in making announcements and misleading the people."
He also shared, "I have news that AAP's MLAs aren't happy with the party, that is why Kejriwal is threatening to quit. He doesn't want to be embarrassed."
Mr Kejriwal has made it clear that he does not care if his minority government falls. He repeats that often in a taunt to the Congress. The AAP leader has also declared that the Congress' support will not deter him in his pursuit of what he calls "corrupt politicians" from that party. (Watch: I will quit if Jan Lokpal is not passed, Arvind Kejriwal to NDTV)
Last month he protested on the streets against the Delhi Police and the Congress-led Centre, offering scathing criticism for Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Mr Lovely and his unit were put in a deeply embarrassing position.
AAP also dismisses the Congress - which is finishing a second straight stint of rule at the Centre - as a potential rival in the general elections due by May. The year-old party, riding on its spectacular showing in the Delhi assembly elections late last year, has said it will contest over 350 seats in the national elections and views the BJP as its principal rival.
The party was deeply divided over the decision to offer its eight MLAs to prop up the minority government of Arvind Kejriwal, the man whose rookie Aam Aadmi Party threw it out of power in Delhi. For good reason, it turns out.
Every day in the last month or so that they have been partners, Delhi Congress leaders have had reason to complain about Mr Kejriwal and co on policy and process alike. But the Congress, which can fell the Delhi government by withdrawing support, says it just cannot do that.
"We will not withdraw support...Kejriwal and his party's intentions are increasingly clear. They want to appear as martyrs before the general elections. They are neither interested in Janlokpal or swaraj as they claim," said Congress leader Haroon Yusuf, soon after Chief Minister Kejriwal announced a mega-reward for defaulters who did not pay their electricity bills last year to support the party's campaign against allegedly inflated power prices. (Read: From AAP, a big reward for those who defaulted on electricity bills)
State Congress chief Arvinder Lovely said, "How can they make such announcements...This government is only interested in making announcements and misleading the people."
He also shared, "I have news that AAP's MLAs aren't happy with the party, that is why Kejriwal is threatening to quit. He doesn't want to be embarrassed."
Mr Kejriwal has made it clear that he does not care if his minority government falls. He repeats that often in a taunt to the Congress. The AAP leader has also declared that the Congress' support will not deter him in his pursuit of what he calls "corrupt politicians" from that party. (Watch: I will quit if Jan Lokpal is not passed, Arvind Kejriwal to NDTV)
Last month he protested on the streets against the Delhi Police and the Congress-led Centre, offering scathing criticism for Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Mr Lovely and his unit were put in a deeply embarrassing position.
AAP also dismisses the Congress - which is finishing a second straight stint of rule at the Centre - as a potential rival in the general elections due by May. The year-old party, riding on its spectacular showing in the Delhi assembly elections late last year, has said it will contest over 350 seats in the national elections and views the BJP as its principal rival.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
