Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that he will resign as the CM in the next two days.
He was addressing the AAP workers at the Party Headquarters.
Will go to People's Court
Arvind Kejriwal said that he would accept the Chief Minister's post only if people of Delhi certify his honesty in the assembly elections. "We will go to the court of people to prove our innocence," he added.
Early election in Delhi
He also demanded that the elections be held in November 2024 instead of February 2025.
"Some people say that we will not be able to work because of restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court. Even they did not leave any stone unturned in imposing restrictions on us... If you think I am honest, vote for me in large numbers. I will sit on the CM's chair only after being elected."
Buzz in political circles
Kejriwal's sudden announcement of quitting CM post has sent flutters through Capital's political circles.
He added that his former deputy Manish Sisodia, who was released from jail a month ago, will not succeed him.
Kejriwal, who walked out of Tihar jail on Friday after nearly six months in prison in Delhi excise policy case, said that they both would seek a mandate and prove their innocence.
Party statement
“The party is in favour of early polls in Delhi to be able to capitalise on the CM’s popularity, which has received another fillip after his release from jail just Friday,” said an AAP source.
Reasons to resign
The decision to resign was also a result of the two-fold curbs placed on Delhi’s elected government. One set of restrictions placed by the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, which gives more powers to the Lieutenant Governor, especially over the bureaucracy.
The second, the bail conditions imposed on Kejriwal that say he cannot go to the Delhi secretariat and his office and can only sign those filed that are meant to be approved or cleared by the Lt Governor.
“It was important to resign after getting bail and not before as it would have been a sign of weakness. Now, the CM is out and can continue in his role but has chosen to do this of his own volition and not under external pressure.
"The workers have been on the ground but it is true that the repeated attacks on us have left us in a weaker position. The senior leaders will focus on dispelling the rumours that have been spread while they were away and reconnecting with voters,” said a senior AAP leader.
No lust for power
“It is also a principled stand. We believe the people of Delhi will see that neither the CM nor Sisodia is interested in the kursi (power). They are here to work for the people of Delhi,” the leader added. (with Agency inputs)
