Common Man Party (Aam Aadmi Party), which made its political debut last year, will form next government in Indian capital New Delhi.
New Delhi, Dec 23/Nationalturk – Common Man Party (Aam Aadmi Party) formed last year to fight corruption will form next government in Indian capital New Delhi.
AAP had emerged second in the 70-member Delhi Assembly elections held last month. The party bagged 28 seats but fell short of the majority margin by eight seats. The rightwing BJP had won 31 seats. The Congress party, which had been ruling the Delhi state since 15 years could only win eight seats.
After BJP said it won’t form the government after falling short of the half-way mark by five, all eyes were focussed on AAP. The newly formed party leaders held deliberations and sought peoples’ opinion whether they should form the government with Congress party’s support. After over 70 per cent people favoured party’s forming government, the AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal today decided to form the government with outside support from Congress.
The party arrived at the decision after 10 days of seeking public opinion through SMSes, web and public meetings.
Kejriwal meets Lt Governor, stakes claim
Kejriwal met Delhi’s Lt Governor Nazeeb Jung this afternoon and staked claim to form the government.
“I just met the Lt Governor and told him that people want AAP to form government in Delhi. The date will be fixed by him,” Kejriwal told reporters after his meeting with Lt Governor.
Kejriwal will be the chief minister and take oath of office shortly. “I am not becoming the chief minister of Delhi but the common man is becoming the chief minister,” he said.
He said he requested Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to allow swearing-in ceremony at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
Jantar Mantar was the place where Kejriwal and his associates started the fight against corruption two-and-a-half years ago and announced AAP’s formation a year ago.
A former Indian Revenue Service officer whose social activism won him the Ramon Magsaysay award, Kejriwal has promised of providing 700 litres of water daily to homes in the capital and sharply cutting power tariff among others.
“We will deliver whatever assurances we made in our manifesto. It (manifesto) was prepared after wide consultations, and a lot of thought went into it. People are expecting much more from us, and we will perform,” Kejriwal said.
Timeline of AAP’s emergence
October 2, 2012: Arvind Kejriwal announced formation of his political party in Delhi.
November 24, 2012: Kejriwal named his party as Aam Aadmi Party.
December 4, 2013: Delhi went to elections.
December 8, 2013: AAP emerged as second largest party in Delhi elections.
December 12: BJP refused to form government saying it did not have the numbers.
December 14: AAP laid down 18 conditions for Congress and BJP for working with it.
December 18: AAP announced public referendum to decide to form government.
December 22: AAP decided to form the government.
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