‘They are excuses to run away from government formation’

Even as the BJP and the Congress dismissed the conditions laid down by the Aam Aadmi Party for their support and cooperation, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday sought 10 days’ time from the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor to take a decision on formation of a government.

Both the BJP and the Congress on Saturday refused to agree to the 18 conditions of the AAP for their ‘unsolicited’ support and cooperation.

“The 18 conditions tabled by the AAP convenor Arvind Kejrial are actually the basis of excuses to run away from government formation. The AAP should come forward to fulfil the expectations of the people of Delhi and should not try to escape from this responsibility,” said Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana.

Addressing a press conference, senior local Congress leader Harun Yusuf said: “If people of Delhi have given you a mandate and Congress is readily extending support, then they should form the government and fulfil their promises.” He attacked Mr. Kejriwal “for making fun of democracy by shying away” from his responsibility.

Later in the day, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung sent a report to President Pranab Mukherjee on conclusion of his consultations with the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Harsh Vardhan, and Mr. Kejriwal on government formation.

According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan sources, the President has sent his advice to Mr. Jung after going through the report.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kejriwal met the Lieutenant-Governor and sought 10 days’ time to take a decision on government formation.

Immediately after the meeting, he wrote to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, seeking the party’s stand on its 18 points. The AAP sent a copy of the letter to BJP president Rajnath Singh, requesting him to come clean on these issues. The letter was also sent to Mr. Jung’s office.

“No support is ‘unconditional’ in politics. We are writing letters to both the BJP and the Congress asking them to make their stand clear on a range of issues. We will go to the people with replies of these two parties and seek public opinion on what the AAP should do. We would be able to tell you whether we want to form a government only after getting people’s response,” Mr. Kejriwal said in his letter submitted to Mr. Jung.