By-polls imposed on Delhiites, to hit development works: CM

NEW DELHI: Amid the row over disqualified MLAs of AAP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that by-polls to 20 Assembly seats have been "imposed" on the people of the national capital and would "hamper" development works for the next two years. He said that these MLAs have not taken any profit from the government.

"I had given the responsibility for various works to these 20 MLAs. They were asked to take care of schools, hospitals, mohalla clinics. One MLA was given the responsibility of public schools," he said.

The CM added that all these people have worked hard and their performance has been always satisfactory. The chief minister said that he is not afraid of the BJP as he is on the path of truth and the people of Delhi are with him. He said that by imposing by-elections, the BJP has halted development works for the next two years.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia wrote an open letter to Delhiites, terming the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs "dirty politics" of the BJP and appealing to them to give a fitting reply to the saffron party.

"They have imposed polls on Delhi by disqualifying our 20 MLAs. There will be the model code of conduct and all government's works will come to a halt. Thereafter, the Lok Sabha polls will come due to which model code of conduct will come into effect again, stopping development works. After this, the (Delhi) Assembly polls will take place," Sisodia said in the letter.

In a major setback to the ruling AAP in Delhi, President Ram Nath Kovind disqualified 20 of its MLAs for holding offices of profit. Kovind on Saturday gave his nod to the recommendation in this regard by the Election Commission.