New Delhi: Buoyed by Britain’s historic decision to leave the European Union (EU), Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal on Friday sought a similar procedure to ensure a full statehood status for Delhi.
“After the referendum in the United Kingdom, Delhi will soon have a referendum on full statehood,” Kejriwal tweeted hours after the referendum in Britain.
In his fight with the government over law and order as well as control over Delhi Police, Kejriwal and his Aam Admi Party (AAP) have been pushing for full statehood for Delhi for some time.
Echoing the view, AAP leader Ashish Khetan said, “After UK’s referendum on exit from the European Union, it is time to have a referendum on full statehood for Delhi. It is the need of the hour.”
In May, the Delhi government unveiled its draft Bill proposing full statehood status to Delhi and invited suggestions from the public. The draft Bill does not include certain areas of the capital, which forced Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to say only the Parliament has the power to prepare and pass the law in the matter as per the Constitution.
“Kejriwal seeks full statehood for Delhi, except for small areas coming under the jurisdiction of the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Delhi Cantonment Board. This is not acceptable,” BJP said in a release.
While statehood for Delhi was part of the AAP manifesto, it is the BJP that has been raising the issue for years, even though it kept mum about it ahead of the state elections last year.
“Referendum, though not in its strictest form, has been a vital part of the AAP’s politics. When AAP made its poll debut in Delhi in 2014 and subsequently formed the government with the Congress’ support, we said the decisions will be taken after getting people’s go-ahead,” Kejriwal had said earlier.
Delhi is not a full state and some important functions such as policing and land are under the Centre’s control. The AAP government has been in constant conflict with Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung, who represents the Centre in Delhi.
Their latest confrontation was over the murder of an official; AAP alleged that the LG had ties to the man arrested for the murder.
