Kejriwal meets Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, stakes claim to form govt. in Delhi

New Delhi – Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and staked a claim to form the next government in Delhi.

“I have handed over the letter to the Lt. Governor stating that we are ready to form a government in Delhi,” Kejriwal told media here.

“As soon as the President orders it, the date for the oath ceremony will be fixed. The oath will be taken at Ram Lila Maidan,” he said.

Television reports had earlier indicated that the oath-taking ceremony would happen on December 26.

Kejriwal had earlier in the day said that the party has decided to form the Government in Delhi with Congress’ support.

“We have got overwhelming participation of people during the public meetings. About 80 percent of them have favoured that party should form the government,” Kejriwal told media here.

AAP leader Manish Sisodia said that out of 280 jan sabhas conducted by the party, in 257 sabhas, people wanted the party to form the government in Delhi.

In a public meeting on Sunday, Kejriwal, whose one-year-old party had its roots in the anti-corruption movement, rebuffed allegations that his party was hesitant to form government.

“We will deliver whatever we assured in our manifesto. It (the manifesto) was prepared after wide consultations and a lot of thought went into it,” he said.

“This is happening for the first time in this country that people are being asked about their opinions about the formation of government. Earlier, the public was asked to go home as soon as the voting was done. Afterwards the leader would make deals inside their offices. But this time, we have indulged the public and have asked about their opinions,” he added.

The AAP had bagged 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party by winning 31 seats while the Congress had stood a poor third with eight seats.

The BJP decided not to form the government, following which AAP leaders met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and sought 10 days time. The AAP then held a referendum to know from the people whether or not they should form a minority government.