Delhi's 'Aam Aadmi' will decide on merging or not merging with Congress: Arvind Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday said it will take the views of the people of the city from today till Sunday, and ask them for their reactions to forming a government with the Congress Party.

Addressing media here, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal said that being a people's party, they would carry out a referendum among the people of the city, and decide what to do next.

“We have written a letter for Delhiites now. 25 lakh copies will be made and distributed across the city to seek the people's feedback. People can phone in, send a text message, or leave a message on the AAP Facebook page,” he added.

Kejriwal further said that AAP had written letters to both the Congress and the BJP.

“Congress had offered unconditional support. The BJP had said they would offer issue-based support. Delhi has 18 key issues. We had asked the Congress and the BJP about their opinions on those issues. It is surprising that BJP didn't even bother to respond to the letter,” he said.

“Congress said that 16 of these points are administrative issues for which AAP would need no support, and for the remaining two, we offer our support,” he added.

Criticizing both parties, Kejriwal said: “These leaders, in their arrogance, used to challenge us to fight elections. I will repeat, don't challenge the common man. He is the one who makes the roti, kapda, makan. It's not the netas who make all this.

The Congress had earlier replied to the letter sent by Kejriwal, and said the majority of the issues raised by him, are related to administrative work and there was no need for the government to take their support on these issues.

Congress Delhi in-charge Shakeel Ahmed said it was not necessary for the government to consult parliament or assembly regarding the administrative work.

Further, explaining his party’s reply to the AAP, Ahmed had said, “There are two issues which are out of the purview of the Delhi government. First, to give Delhi the status of a state. This point is there even in our manifesto. We will support them when they will raise this issue with the Central government.

“Second issue is of Lokpal. We told them that there is a powerful Lokayukta in Delhi. Plus this week, there are chances that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in Parliament. If they want an amendment in the Lokayukta Act of Delhi which is not in violation of any parliamentary guideline, then we will definitely support them,” he added.

Kejriwal on Saturday had written letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh asking their stand on the 18 key issues.

Listing his 18 conditions, he had said, "After their response on these issues comes in, we will hold meeting with the public and whatever their decision is, we will accept it. Whether the public wants a re-election or should we form government with support of the BJP and the Congress. This is what we have told the Lieutenant Governor."

The term of the Delhi Assembly ends today. If no party stakes claim by then two options emerge.

The Centre can impose President's rule, holding the assembly in suspended animation or it can dissolve the freshly notified hung assembly and call for fresh elections.