Amidst the political turmoil in the national capital following Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to resign, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj explained why the Chief Minister chose not to dissolve the Delhi Assembly.
In a freewheeling conversation at News18 Chaupal, Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the Aam Aadmi Party had already made the “mistake” by dissolving the Assembly once. “If we had done that again, the Opposition would have accused us of running away from government,” Bharadwaj explained.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bansuri Swaraj was also present on stage in the debate with Saurabh Bhardwaj.
Asked why Kejriwal was taking two days to step down as Chief Minister instead of dissolving the Assembly, Bharadwaj said: “We took two days’ time because yesterday was Sunday and today (Monday) is Eid. The first working day is tomorrow, that is Tuesday. He will resign tomorrow.”
“You asked why did we not dissolve the Assembly. We have already made the mistake of dissolving the Assembly once. They (Opposition) will say that we are running away from government. We are not running away from government. He (Kejriwal) is renouncing his Chief Minister’s post. If the public makes him sit on the Chief Minister’s chair again and says that their son is honest, then he will sit. Otherwise, he will go home,” he added.
Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he will resign from the Delhi Chief Minister’s post on September 17.
In response to allegations by the BJP about “something secretive” taking place in these 48 hours, Bharadwaj said: “Think about this. If any file is to be signed, it cannot be done in secret. The signed file will go to the L-G and everyone will know. Nothing can be done in these 48 hours. For the last two years, there was propaganda against Arvind Kejriwal that they have proof about him earning lots of money… It has been two years since the investigating agency has taken over the case. If there was proof on the first day itself, why did the trial not start even after two years?”
During the conversation, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said: “The courts have found that Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin of the liquor scam. He has a role in taking kickbacks amounting to Rs 90 to Rs 100 crore for the activities of the Aam Aadmi Party. The money was used in Goa elections. It was said in the order that Arvind Kejriwal has been granted bail on conditions, due to his involvement in the case.”
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia is expected to meet Kejriwal on Monday. The meeting is slated to be held at the Chief Minister’s official residence in the Civil Lines area. The AAP’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) is also likely to meet in the evening at Kejriwal’s residence.
The AAP national convener has said that he would become Chief Minister and Manish Sisodia his deputy “only when people say we are honest”.
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