Ball in BJP’s court to hold early elections, no decision yet on next CM: AAP
Kejriwal will resign as prime minister on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Monday said it has put the ball in the court of the BJP by demanding early elections in Delhi in November. Now it is up to the opposition party to decide whether it is ready to take on CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal will submit his resignation as chief minister on Tuesday and the process of choosing his successor will begin thereafter, Delhi Chief Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, adding that there has been no discussion yet on who will be the next prime minister.
“Today is a public holiday and tomorrow is the first working day of the week. He will submit his resignation to the Lt Governor tomorrow and after the resignation is accepted, a meeting of party MLAs will be held to decide on the new name,” he said at a press conference.
Bharadwaj said the chosen candidate will then present his or her claim to the President through the LG.
“We have the majority and we are invited and then the process of taking the oath will take place. This should take a week,” he added.
AAP leader Kejriwal on Sunday announced that he will step down and not assume the CM’s chair until the people give him a “certificate of honesty” and he seeks early elections in the national capital.
The BJP has said that if Kejriwal wants early elections, he should dissolve the Delhi Assembly instead of creating “drama” around his resignation.
At Monday’s press conference, Bharadwaj said, “The ball is in the BJP’s court. They can decide on early polls if they are ready to take on Kejriwal.”
The Delhi elections will be the first to be fought on the basis of ‘fairness’, the senior AAP leader said.
“The Centre with all its agencies is after CM. They have done everything to smear him. Despite this, he has faith in people and his honesty. This is a historic incident,” he said.
Kejriwal’s announcement has sparked debate among common people across the world, the minister added.
“People want to vote early and want early elections to elect Kejriwal. There is resentment against the BJP. Lord Ram had given up his kingdom and chosen to go into exile for the sake of his ideals. Bharat, who was elected in his place, was waiting for Lord Ram’s return.
“Kejriwal is not a Ram but is setting an example by giving up his seat,” he added.
First publication: Sep 16, 2024 | 1:06 PM IST