Kejriwal asked to prove majority by Jan 3, promises Janlokpal Bill in 15 days
New Delhi: Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has directed Aam Aadmi Party leader and chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal to prove majority of his government on the floor of Delhi assembly by January 3.
The direction came after President Pranab Mukherjee conveyed to Jung that Kejriwal be asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House within seven days from the date on which he takes oath of office.
Kejriwal will take oath at Ramlila Maidan on Saturday along with six other AAP MLAs who will be part of the Cabinet. Sources said a session of the assembly is likely to be called from January 1.
Kejriwal to take oath as Delhi CM on Saturday, says no rift in party
"The President has directed that Kejriwal may be asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House within seven days from the date on which he takes oath of office," senior officials in Delhi government said.
They said the President has appointed Kejriwal as Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi with effect from the date he is sworn in. AAP has 28 seats while Congress with 8 has agreed to give it outside support.
BJP is the single largest party with 31 seats in its kitty. The party had declined to form government citing lack of majority in the 70-member assembly.
The date for the swearing-in ceremony was finalised at a meeting Kejriwal held with Delhi Chief Secretary D.M. Spolia. The cabinet ministers to take oath along with Kejriwal are Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Girish Soni and Satendra Jain.
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Meanwhile, Kejriwal on Wednesday promised to bring Janlokpal Bill in 15 days and termed the rule as 'wrong' which makes it mandatory for a state to seek the Centre's nod to pass a law.
"We will bring Janlokpal Bill within 15 days...The constitution says Delhi Assembly can formulate laws except on some issues mentioned in the state list. The state cannot make any law in violation of the Centre's law," Kejriwal told reporters.
"In 2002, the Transaction of Business Rules was amended. It was added that the state government, while introducing any law, will take permission from the Centre.
"This (rule) is wrong. It used to happen under British rule where Indian government used to take permission from London," Kejriwal said.
"In Delhi, we have an elected government, so it is absolutely wrong. We will overcome every hurdle. We will not sit quite," said Kejriwal adding the 'crisis' is created by the opposition and is not a constitutional 'crisis'.
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Kejriwal also claimed his party will overcome every challenge in implementing the promises made to the people of Delhi.
"We expect many obstructions to come in the government's way but we will take them head on. Earlier they had challenged us to fight election. Then they said aam aadmi cannot run government. We will run government in a better manner," he said.
While releasing its manifesto last month, AAP had promised to bring the Janlokpal, or an anti-corruption ombudsman, within 15 days by calling an open session of Delhi assembly on December 29.
"This Delhi Janlokpal Bill would cover all the officials and employees of Delhi government, from the Chief Minister to MLAs. Under this law, it would be mandatory for everyone to declare their assets. The Lokpal would have full autonomy. Administrative, financial and functional independence and powers to take action public servants," Yogendra Yadav, head of AAP's manifesto committee, had said while releasing the manifesto.
Those found guilty of corruption would be sacked, sent to jail and their property would be confiscated, he had added.
