Delhi statehood: AAP intensifies demand for referendum

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday intensified its demand for <g data-gr-id="29">referendum</g> on the issue of statehood for Delhi. The party said it would work with the Delhi government and “engage” its volunteers to seek a solution on the contentious issue.

The party also tried to counter arguments over giving statehood to Delhi and <g data-gr-id="30">referundum</g>. “Getting statehood for Delhi is one of the important demands of the party, which it had promised to the people of Delhi. The party is with the Delhi government on the issue and will also work with it on the matter,” said AAP’s Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey.

He added: “There are many examples of national capitals across the world. Many people point out the example of Washington DC, but they conveniently forget that Delhi has seven MPs and 70 MLAs, whereas Washington DC has no elected representative. Comparing the position of two cities is like comparing apples and oranges.” 

Pandey added that the party would engage its volunteers on the issue.

The volunteers will help garner the support of people and put pressure on the Centre. “Even, we have studied the Constitution and there is a provision for a referendum for the states,” Pandey said.

The party also attacked the BJP and Congress for making “U-turn” and exploiting the statehood issue as per their “political convenience”.

“The Congress’ 2015 manifesto talks about the statehood. It was in power at the Centre from 2004-14 and in the state from 1998-2013.  BJP’s VK Malhotra strongly batted for Delhi’s statehood in 2011 and so did LK Advani in 2003, when he was the Deputy Prime Minister. Similarly, the BJP in its manifestos of 2013 state Assembly and 2014 Lok Sabha had promised statehood to Delhi. Both the parties have now made a U-turn on the issue,” Pandey said.