Arvind Kejriwal to sit on indefinite fast from March 1 for full statehood to Delhi

Speaking at the legislative assembly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast from March 1, 2019, to press his demand for full statehood to Delhi. "From 1 March we will launch the movement to make Delhi a full state and we will not end it till Delhi gets full statehood," Kejriwal was quoted as saying in Delhi Assembly. Accusing the Narendra Modi-led BJP of interfering in every file of Delhi government, the chief minister said, "I want to tell the Prime Minister that he should take care of Pakistan and leave the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and bureaucrats to us. He has no time for the people of Delhi".

Addressing the media outside the state Assembly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) further said, "Democracy has been implemented in the entire nation, but not Delhi. Public votes and selects a government, but the government has no power. So, we are starting a movement on March 1 and I will sit on indefinite fast for the full statehood of Delhi".

In the run-up to Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Kejriwal had on February 21 announced that if the AAP wins all the seven Lok Sabha seats, his party will ensure that Delhi gets full statehood status within two years. The AAP leader also said he will provide pucca houses to every citizen of the national capital if Delhi attains full statehood.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi assembly: I am going to sit on an indefinite fast from March 1 for full statehood of Delhi pic.twitter.com/z1X2TOQDbY

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2019

In a major setback to the AAP government in Delhi, the Supreme Court had last week gave control of the Anti-Corruption Bureau to the Centre, saying only it has the power to order an investigation against corrupt officers and not Delhi government.

The top court also left the decision on who controls Delhi officers to a higher bench following a split verdict between two judges. In the meantime, the central government would continue to handle postings and transfers of officers.

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Calling the verdict as one against "constitution and democracy", the Delhi CM had warned that he may even enter the premises of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to stage a sit-in protest to demand full statehood for the national capital. Recalling his nine-day sit-in protest at the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's residence in June last year, Kejriwal said, "This time, if need be, we will enter the Prime Minister's house to stage a dharna to push for our statehood demand".

Earlier this week, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had announced a door-to-door campaign to tell people how the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had done "injustice" to them on the issue. The ruling AAP has planned to corner the opposition on the issue in the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly which started on February 22.