Ruling out any alliance with the Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday announced that his party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling BJP's electoral promise of granting full statehood to Delhi.&nbsp;

Asserting that the upcoming polls will be fought on the issue of full statehood, Kejriwal criticised Modi for not fulfilling this promise as mentioned in BJP's 2014 manifesto.&nbsp;"It amounts to cheating. They [BJP] should come clean," Kejriwal said.

"The ongoing general elections are also a part of the mass movement for full statehood for Delhi. BJP had no intention of giving Delhi full statehood. Prime Minister Modi needs to give an explanation as to why he did not fulfil his promise," the chief minister said, adding that his party plans to go full throttle over this issue in the coming days.&nbsp;

Kejriwal claimed that both Congress and BJP are against granting full statehood to Delhi.&nbsp;

Addressing the media from the AAP's new headquarters at ITO, Kejriwal said his party will be fighting the Lok Sabha elections on the issue of full statehood for Delhi as it (national capital) has been suffering because of it.&nbsp;

On being asked about its alliance partners, the chief minister said, "We are not in talks with the Congress over the alliance. We will be fighting the elections on our own."&nbsp;

"We are hearing statements from Congress that it would not enter into an alliance with AAP. But according to our internal surveys, AAP will be winning with a heavy majority on all seven seats and there are four reasons for it," he said.

Listing out the reasons, he said firstly, it is because of the work done by the Delhi government. Secondly, people in Delhi are very eager to see Delhi get full statehood and they can see that AAP is serious about it, he said.&nbsp;

Thirdly, according to AAP's survey, 56 per cent of the people believe that the conduct of the BJP in the conflict between India and Pakistan has portrayed the party in a "negative" light, he said.&nbsp;

"The fourth reason is how the Congress did not put the country first and refused to form an alliance. Therefore Hindus were anyway not going to vote for Congress. Muslims had some doubts but now even they have come in favour of the AAP," he said.&nbsp;

Observing that even without an alliance, AAP is winning, he, however, said his party has no indication from the Congress on an alliance.

The ruling AAP has declared names of candidates on six of the seven seats in Delhi.&nbsp;

A senior AAP leader said the name of the seventh candidate for the West Delhi seat would be announced only after BJP and Congress declare the names of their candidates for Delhi.

AAP's Atishi will contest from East Delhi, Guggan Singh from North-West Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South, Dilip Pandey from North-East, Pankaj Gupta from Chandni Chowk and Brijesh Goyal will contest from New Delhi seats.&nbsp;

The party launched its mega poll campaign, centred around full statehood for Delhi on Sunday.

Party volunteers will also distribute Kejriwal's letter to doorsteps of the voters during the campaign. The letter will elaborate on the benefits Delhiites will have if full statehood is granted.

Elections to the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 12.&nbsp;

"The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are extremely important for the people of Delhi. In all the Lok Sabha elections, the people in Delhi used to vote to elect a prime minister but this time people have decided that would vote for full statehood of Delhi," Kejriwal said.&nbsp;

The chief minister said once Delhi attains full statehood, AAP will ensure that women can roam freely even at night while adding that his party will also provide 85 per cent reservations in jobs and colleges.

Kejriwal also referred to the sealing of shops which took place earlier this year and said, the party would have halted sealing within five minutes.&nbsp;

"We would have regularised contractual employees," he said.&nbsp;

Ruling out any alliance with the Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday announced that his party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling BJP's electoral promise of granting full statehood to Delhi.

Ruling out any alliance with the Congress, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday announced that his party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on its own and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not fulfilling BJP's electoral promise of granting full statehood to Delhi. Asserting that the upcoming polls will be fought on the issue of full statehood, Kejriwal criticised Modi for not fulfilling this promise as mentioned in BJP's 2014 manifesto. "It amounts to cheating. They [BJP] should come clean," Kejriwal said. "The ongoing general elections are also a part of the mass movement for full statehood for Delhi. BJP had no intention of giving Delhi full statehood. Prime Minister Modi needs to give an explanation as to why he did not fulfil his promise," the chief minister said, adding that his party plans to go full throttle over this issue in the coming days. Kejriwal claimed that both Congress and BJP are against granting full statehood to Delhi. Addressing the media from the AAP's new headquarters at ITO, Kejriwal said his party will be fighting the Lok Sabha elections on the issue of full statehood for Delhi as it (national capital) has been suffering because of it. On being asked about its alliance partners, the chief minister said, "We are not in talks with the Congress over the alliance. We will be fighting the elections on our own." "We are hearing statements from Congress that it would not enter into an alliance with AAP. But according to our internal surveys, AAP will be winning with a heavy majority on all seven seats and there are four reasons for it," he said. Listing out the reasons, he said firstly, it is because of the work done by the Delhi government. Secondly, people in Delhi are very eager to see Delhi get full statehood and they can see that AAP is serious about it, he said. Thirdly, according to AAP's survey, 56 per cent of the people believe that the conduct of the BJP in the conflict between India and Pakistan has portrayed the party in a "negative" light, he said. "The fourth reason is how the Congress did not put the country first and refused to form an alliance. Therefore Hindus were anyway not going to vote for Congress. Muslims had some doubts but now even they have come in favour of the AAP," he said. Observing that even without an alliance, AAP is winning, he, however, said his party has no indication from the Congress on an alliance. The ruling AAP has declared names of candidates on six of the seven seats in Delhi. A senior AAP leader said the name of the seventh candidate for the West Delhi seat would be announced only after BJP and Congress declare the names of their candidates for Delhi. AAP's Atishi will contest from East Delhi, Guggan Singh from North-West Delhi, Raghav Chadha from South, Dilip Pandey from North-East, Pankaj Gupta from Chandni Chowk and Brijesh Goyal will contest from New Delhi seats. The party launched its mega poll campaign, centred around full statehood for Delhi on Sunday. Party volunteers will also distribute Kejriwal's letter to doorsteps of the voters during the campaign. The letter will elaborate on the benefits Delhiites will have if full statehood is granted. Elections to the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 12. "The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are extremely important for the people of Delhi. In all the Lok Sabha elections, the people in Delhi used to vote to elect a prime minister but this time people have decided that would vote for full statehood of Delhi," Kejriwal said. The chief minister said once Delhi attains full statehood, AAP will ensure that women can roam freely even at night while adding that his party will also provide 85 per cent reservations in jobs and colleges. Kejriwal also referred to the sealing of shops which took place earlier this year and said, the party would have halted sealing within five minutes. "We would have regularised contractual employees," he said.

AAP will fight and win Lok Sabha polls on its own: Kejriwal

Days after the Congress said it would go it alone in the general elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Saturday termed the party "arrogant" and claimed that its candidates would lose their deposits in the polls.

At a public meeting in the Mustafabad area, Kejriwal claimed his party tried persuading the Congress to forge an alliance, but "it did not understand".

Recently, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit had said there's unanimity in the party against an alliance with the AAP for Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. 
"Congress (candidates) will lose their deposits in Delhi in Lok Sabha elections," Kejriwal claimed.

The Delhi CM, while addressing the gathering in minority-dominated Mustafabad, requested people to make sure that votes don't get split between the Congress and the AAP.

"Vote for the AAP in Delhi because only it can defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Speculation over a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the AAP still persists, even as Rahul Gandhi has already said the Delhi unit of his party is against it.

Days after the Congress said it would go it alone in the general elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Saturday termed the party "arrogant" and claimed that its candidates would lose their deposits in the polls.

Days after the Congress said it would go it alone in the general elections, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal Saturday termed the party "arrogant" and claimed that its candidates would lose their deposits in the polls. At a public meeting in the Mustafabad area, Kejriwal claimed his party tried persuading the Congress to forge an alliance, but "it did not understand". Recently, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit had said there's unanimity in the party against an alliance with the AAP for Lok Sabha polls in Delhi. "Congress (candidates) will lose their deposits in Delhi in Lok Sabha elections," Kejriwal claimed. The Delhi CM, while addressing the gathering in minority-dominated Mustafabad, requested people to make sure that votes don't get split between the Congress and the AAP. "Vote for the AAP in Delhi because only it can defeat the BJP in Lok Sabha elections," he said. Speculation over a pre-poll alliance between the Congress and the AAP still persists, even as Rahul Gandhi has already said the Delhi unit of his party is against it.

Congress being arrogant, its candidates will lose deposits: Arvind Kejriwal

Taking its demand for full statehood for Delhi to another level in the run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday started the `mini prachar rath` (mini-campaign vehicles).

The AAP launched full statehood movement program in Delhi`s northeastern, Chandni Chowk and New Delhi Lok Sabha.

Since long, the AAP has been raising the demand for full statehood for the national capital.

In this context, the party has also conducted several press conferences.In a recently held presser, AAP’s Delhi convener Gopal Rai informed about the launch of the ‘mini prachar rath’.Giving details about the event, Rai had said that 20 e-rickshaws will be used for this purpose, which will play recorded audio and video speeches of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on how both the Congress and BJP have “deceived” the people of the national capital on the issue.

Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha candidate Pankaj Gupta said, "Delhi is a half incomplete state, due to which the Delhi Government lacks many powers. Due to this, the Delhi Government could not do enough development work in the national capital because every work requires permission from the central government and for the last four years, the central government has been obstructing all development works of the Delhi government. Getting the full state will solve all these problems."

North-Eastern Lok Sabha candidate Dilip Pandey said, "Delhi`s full statehood is absolutely essential for the complete development of Delhi. New colleges will be created for the students so that all the students of the national capital will get admission in good colleges. New employment will be created for the youth, the responsibility of the police and government officials will be fixed for the protection of women and Delhi will be able to make crime free."

On March 7, Kejriwal wrote a letter to the people of the national capital appealing them to vote for full statehood of Delhi.

"Last time, you voted to elect the Prime Minister of the country. But this time, vote for full statehood of Delhi. Destiny and God give us only one chance. This time let`s make it count. This time vote for Aam Aadmi Party so that Delhi becomes a full state," he said.

Kejriwal asserted that the issues Delhi faced in the last four years are due to the lack of full statehood.

Taking its demand for full statehood for Delhi to another level in the run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday started the `mini prachar rath` (mini-campaign vehicles).

Taking its demand for full statehood for Delhi to another level in the run-up to the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday started the `mini prachar rath` (mini-campaign vehicles). The AAP launched full statehood movement program in Delhi`s northeastern, Chandni Chowk and New Delhi Lok Sabha. Since long, the AAP has been raising the demand for full statehood for the national capital. In this context, the party has also conducted several press conferences.In a recently held presser, AAP’s Delhi convener Gopal Rai informed about the launch of the ‘mini prachar rath’.Giving details about the event, Rai had said that 20 e-rickshaws will be used for this purpose, which will play recorded audio and video speeches of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on how both the Congress and BJP have “deceived” the people of the national capital on the issue. Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha candidate Pankaj Gupta said, "Delhi is a half incomplete state, due to which the Delhi Government lacks many powers. Due to this, the Delhi Government could not do enough development work in the national capital because every work requires permission from the central government and for the last four years, the central government has been obstructing all development works of the Delhi government. Getting the full state will solve all these problems." North-Eastern Lok Sabha candidate Dilip Pandey said, "Delhi`s full statehood is absolutely essential for the complete development of Delhi. New colleges will be created for the students so that all the students of the national capital will get admission in good colleges. New employment will be created for the youth, the responsibility of the police and government officials will be fixed for the protection of women and Delhi will be able to make crime free." On March 7, Kejriwal wrote a letter to the people of the national capital appealing them to vote for full statehood of Delhi. "Last time, you voted to elect the Prime Minister of the country. But this time, vote for full statehood of Delhi. Destiny and God give us only one chance. This time let`s make it count. This time vote for Aam Aadmi Party so that Delhi becomes a full state," he said. Kejriwal asserted that the issues Delhi faced in the last four years are due to the lack of full statehood.

AAP launches 'mini prachar rath' campaign to demand full statehood for Delhi

Carrying Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's letter addressed to Delhi people on full statehood demand, one thousand teams of Aam Aadmi Party will launch the Lok Sabha campaign of the party across the city on Sunday.

In his letter to Delhiites, the AAP supremo has charged the Congress and BJP of betraying people on full statehood. He has urged them to vote for the AAP in Lok Sabha polls so that full statehood could be achieved.

"AAP's 1000 teams will take out morning processions and evening marches to tell people how their rights are being denied due to lack of full statehood," said Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai.

Kejriwal's letter addressed to the people attached with a list of benefits of full statehood to Delhi will be distributed during the campaign, said Rai.

"Despite being the national capital, why is Delhi not clean? Why are Delhi's women not safe? Even after securing 90% marks, why are students unable to get admission in Delhi colleges? Why is the youth unemployed? Why are many colonies still unauthorised? Why are thriving markets being sealed?," Kejriwal asks people in his letter.

"There is only one reason - Delhi is not a full state,"&nbsp;he replies in the letter.

"Before starting any work, the Delhi government has to take prior approval from the central government. And the central government creates barriers and hurdles in our work," he charges.

Many agencies dealing with everyday problems of the citizen like MCD, Delhi Police are under the direct control of the central government. The citizen of Delhi have no say in these matters, he claims in his letter.

"There's only one solution to these problems - just like every other state, Delhi should also get full statehood. All agencies serving the city should come under the Delhi government. "

The letter also promises that once Delhi becomes a full state, the dreams and aspirations of the citizen of Delhi will be fulfilled.&nbsp;

"Women will be safe and secure as law and order will improve. Our youth will get jobs. Students securing 60% and above will also get admission in Delhi colleges. Sealing will come to an end. Each citizen will have their own house in Delhi. Delhi will become clean and beautiful. Delhi will grow and develop at a faster pace," the letter said.

Both the BJP and Congress promised that Delhi will become a full state. Before becoming Prime Minister, Modi had also promised to give full statehood to Delhi, it says.

"Last time, you voted to elect the Prime Minister of the country. But this time, vote for full statehood of Delhi. Destiny and God give us only one chance. This time let's make it count. This time vote for Aam Aadmi Party so that Delhi gets a full statehood," Kejriwal signed off his letter.&nbsp;

Carrying Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's letter addressed to Delhi people on full statehood demand, one thousand teams of Aam Aadmi Party will launch the Lok Sabha campaign of the party across the city on Sunday.

Carrying Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's letter addressed to Delhi people on full statehood demand, one thousand teams of Aam Aadmi Party will launch the Lok Sabha campaign of the party across the city on Sunday. In his letter to Delhiites, the AAP supremo has charged the Congress and BJP of betraying people on full statehood. He has urged them to vote for the AAP in Lok Sabha polls so that full statehood could be achieved. "AAP's 1000 teams will take out morning processions and evening marches to tell people how their rights are being denied due to lack of full statehood," said Delhi AAP convener Gopal Rai. Kejriwal's letter addressed to the people attached with a list of benefits of full statehood to Delhi will be distributed during the campaign, said Rai. "Despite being the national capital, why is Delhi not clean? Why are Delhi's women not safe? Even after securing 90% marks, why are students unable to get admission in Delhi colleges? Why is the youth unemployed? Why are many colonies still unauthorised? Why are thriving markets being sealed?," Kejriwal asks people in his letter. "There is only one reason - Delhi is not a full state," he replies in the letter. "Before starting any work, the Delhi government has to take prior approval from the central government. And the central government creates barriers and hurdles in our work," he charges. Many agencies dealing with everyday problems of the citizen like MCD, Delhi Police are under the direct control of the central government. The citizen of Delhi have no say in these matters, he claims in his letter. "There's only one solution to these problems - just like every other state, Delhi should also get full statehood. All agencies serving the city should come under the Delhi government. " The letter also promises that once Delhi becomes a full state, the dreams and aspirations of the citizen of Delhi will be fulfilled. "Women will be safe and secure as law and order will improve. Our youth will get jobs. Students securing 60% and above will also get admission in Delhi colleges. Sealing will come to an end. Each citizen will have their own house in Delhi. Delhi will become clean and beautiful. Delhi will grow and develop at a faster pace," the letter said. Both the BJP and Congress promised that Delhi will become a full state. Before becoming Prime Minister, Modi had also promised to give full statehood to Delhi, it says. "Last time, you voted to elect the Prime Minister of the country. But this time, vote for full statehood of Delhi. Destiny and God give us only one chance. This time let's make it count. This time vote for Aam Aadmi Party so that Delhi gets a full statehood," Kejriwal signed off his letter.

Vote for AAP in Lok Sabha polls for Delhi's full statehood: Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said he has postponed his indefinite hunger strike, scheduled from March 1 in "view of the prevailing Indo-Pak situation".

His remarks came after India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pak-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country.

"In view of prevailing Indo Pak situation, I am postponing my upwas for full statehood of Delhi. We all stand as one nation today," he posted on Twitter. 
Earlier, Kejriwal saluted the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) after it carried out the strikes in Pakistan.

"I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

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In view of prevailing Indo Pak situation, I am postponing my upwas for full statehood of Delhi. We all stand as one nation today.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1100341925629050880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Delhi CM also praised the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) following reports that they crossed the Line of Control (LoC) with their fighter jets and destroyed terrorist camps in Pakistan.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said he has postponed his indefinite hunger strike, scheduled from March 1 in "view of the prevailing Indo-Pak situation".

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said he has postponed his indefinite hunger strike, scheduled from March 1 in "view of the prevailing Indo-Pak situation". His remarks came after India struck Jaish-e-Mohammed's(JeM) biggest camp in Pakistan early Tuesday in a major "preemptive" action killing a large number of terrorists and trainers of the Pak-based terror group preparing to carry out suicide attacks in this country. "In view of prevailing Indo Pak situation, I am postponing my upwas for full statehood of Delhi. We all stand as one nation today," he posted on Twitter. Earlier, Kejriwal saluted the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) after it carried out the strikes in Pakistan. "I salute the bravery of Indian Air Force pilots who have made us proud by striking terror targets in Pakistan," Kejriwal said in a tweet. In view of prevailing Indo Pak situation, I am postponing my upwas for full statehood of Delhi. We all stand as one nation today. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2019 × Delhi CM also praised the pilots of the Indian Air Force (IAF) following reports that they crossed the Line of Control (LoC) with their fighter jets and destroyed terrorist camps in Pakistan.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal postpones indefinite hunger strike in view of prevailing Indo-Pak situation

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to demand for full statehood to Delhi.

Addressing the budget session of Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal sharpened his attack on the Centre and said the Delhi government is unable to perform its duties towards people of the city because it lacked power.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: From 1 March we will launch the movement to make Delhi a full state and we will not end it till Delhi gets full statehood. <a href="https://t.co/48prR6lL4k">pic.twitter.com/48prR6lL4k</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1099269059374329856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"I will sit on an indefinite hunger strike for full statehood to Delhi from March. People have given us so much that even if we have to sacrifice our lives for them, it is immaterial," Kejriwal told the House.

He claimed the people of Delhi were facing "injustice and humiliation" since independence because the government elected by them lacked power to work for them.

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Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Democracy has been implemented in entire nation, but not Delhi. Public votes &amp; selects a government, but the government has no power. So we're starting a movement on March 1 &amp; I'll sit on indefinite fast for the full statehood of Delhi <a href="https://t.co/O9BiuBVQHY">pic.twitter.com/O9BiuBVQHY</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1099271168656371712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The elected government of Delhi cannot give people justice, work for them and take up development works because it lacks power and the central government obstructs its functioning. Is the value of Delhi voters less than other states?" he questioned.

He said the Centre has control over Delhi Police, municipal corporations and DDA, which is why people "were suffering due to high crime rate, insanitation and lack of development".&nbsp;

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to demand for full statehood to Delhi. Addressing the budget session of Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal sharpened his attack on the Centre and said the Delhi government is unable to perform its duties towards people of the city because it lacked power.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he will launch an indefinite hunger strike from March 1 to demand for full statehood to Delhi. Addressing the budget session of Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal sharpened his attack on the Centre and said the Delhi government is unable to perform its duties towards people of the city because it lacked power. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal: From 1 March we will launch the movement to make Delhi a full state and we will not end it till Delhi gets full statehood. pic.twitter.com/48prR6lL4k — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2019 × "I will sit on an indefinite hunger strike for full statehood to Delhi from March. People have given us so much that even if we have to sacrifice our lives for them, it is immaterial," Kejriwal told the House. He claimed the people of Delhi were facing "injustice and humiliation" since independence because the government elected by them lacked power to work for them. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Democracy has been implemented in entire nation, but not Delhi. Public votes & selects a government, but the government has no power. So we're starting a movement on March 1 & I'll sit on indefinite fast for the full statehood of Delhi pic.twitter.com/O9BiuBVQHY — ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2019 × "The elected government of Delhi cannot give people justice, work for them and take up development works because it lacks power and the central government obstructs its functioning. Is the value of Delhi voters less than other states?" he questioned. He said the Centre has control over Delhi Police, municipal corporations and DDA, which is why people "were suffering due to high crime rate, insanitation and lack of development".

Kejriwal announces indefinite hunger strike over 'statehood for Delhi' demand from March 1

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday announced that if the AAP wins all seven seats, his party will ensure that Delhi gets full statehood status within two years.

Addressing a public rally, Kejriwal said he will provide pucca house to every citizen of the national capital if Delhi attains full statehood.

He also appealed to people to not vote for the prime minister in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, but for the issue of full statehood.

Earlier this week, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had announced a door-to-door campaign to tell people how the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had done "injustice" to them on the issue.

"If the Aam Aadmi Party wins all seven seats in Delhi, we will ensure full statehood to Delhi within two years," Kejriwal told people.

The ruling AAP has planned to corner the opposition on the issue in the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly which starts from Friday.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday announced that if the AAP wins all seven seats, his party will ensure that Delhi gets full statehood status within two years.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday announced that if the AAP wins all seven seats, his party will ensure that Delhi gets full statehood status within two years. Addressing a public rally, Kejriwal said he will provide pucca house to every citizen of the national capital if Delhi attains full statehood. He also appealed to people to not vote for the prime minister in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, but for the issue of full statehood. Earlier this week, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had announced a door-to-door campaign to tell people how the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had done "injustice" to them on the issue. "If the Aam Aadmi Party wins all seven seats in Delhi, we will ensure full statehood to Delhi within two years," Kejriwal told people. The ruling AAP has planned to corner the opposition on the issue in the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly which starts from Friday.

Will get Delhi full statehood within 2 years if AAP wins all seven Lok Sabha seats: Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing difficult moments just ahead of the general elections. It was looking to score political points on two issues but had to suffer setbacks in both. First, the Supreme Court has held that the Delhi government — headed by AAP leader and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal — had no powers to constitute commissions of inquiry and that the anti-corruption branch of the government could not investigate cases against central government officials. Second, the Congress has spurned the AAP’s offer for an electoral alliance to jointly take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming polls. &nbsp;

AAP leaders have reacted furiously to the apex court’s ruling, with Kejriwal exclaiming, ‘What sort of verdict is this!” But his party colleague and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh went a step further, wondering whether the court would give a judgement against the Modi regime. There have been demands by AAP’s detractors to slap a contempt of court case against the Rajya Sabha member. So far the court has not taken note of the remarks, and some BJP leaders have said the party would take a call soon on moving a contempt plea.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In February 2015, soon after the AAP government took charge for a second time, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issues a notification that services would be under the purview of the Lieutenant Governor, who is a representative of the central government. The notification also stated that the state’s anti-corruption branch would not register cases against central government employees, let alone investigate those instances. In August 2016, following AAP’s appeal, the Delhi High Court snubbed AAP by ruling that the Lt Governor was the administrative head. 
 
The matter went to the Supreme Court, and in July 2018, the court said that the Lt Governor would retain powers in matters related to police, public order and land, but that decisions of the elected regime did not require the Lt Governor’s concurrence. While this last ruling was exploited as a ‘victory’ by all sides, the confusion over the powers of the Lt Governor and the elected government remained largely unaddressed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The February 14 order is clearer, and yet one issue remains unsettled: That of controlling authority over the administrative services. The two-judge bench which delivered the latest ruling was divided on whether the state regime had powers over the administrative cadre of the rank below joint secretary, and a larger Bench will now look into the matter. Thus, while the AAP can still hope for a favourable verdict on this count, it's on the backfoot for the moment. Its opponents have hailed the court order and claimed it is a slap on the face of an ‘anarchist Kejriwal’ and his government.&nbsp;

The second setback, that of the Congress’s refusal to align with the AAP, is equally embarrassing for Delhi’s ruling party. The Delhi unit of the Congress under its new leader Sheila Dikshit is not keen on any understanding with the AAP in the state. Kejriwal has had the mortification of being snubbed openly on the matter, and he has had to concede that so far, his desire to have a pact with the Congress to contain the BJP has not gone anywhere. Kejriwal seems to have forgotten the anti-graft campaign he had been a prominent part of, against the then Dikshit regime in Delhi — a campaign that eventually fetched his power in Delhi and the chief ministership too. Then he had threatened to jail the senior Congress leader.&nbsp;

But why is the AAP over-eager to tie up with the Congress, when it claims to have the overwhelming support of the people? How is it that a party which has a near monopoly in numbers in the Delhi Assembly, has to crave for support from another party which has no representation from Delhi, either in the Lok Sabha or in the Assembly? There are two essential reasons. The first is that the AAP fears a washout in Delhi, similar to the one in 2014 — the best-case scenario could be a seat or two. The second is that unlike in 2014, the party’s prospects in Punjab, which gave it four MPs, are bleak. The AAP’s Punjab affairs are in a shambles, with various party leaders having left the organisation. Besides, the Congress led by Captain Amarinder Singh is sitting pretty in the state; let alone the AAP, even the BJP-Akali Dal combine will find it difficult to counter the Chief Minister.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Five years ago, the AAP had first formed the government with the Congress’s outside backing and soon enough ended the arrangement after ‘apologising’ to the people for the mistake (of having taken the support). Then, the parting of ways clicked for the AAP as it stormed back to power. Today it needs the Congress to remain relevant in the Lok Sabha. How things change!&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing difficult moments just ahead of the general elections. It was looking to score political points on two issues but had to suffer setbacks in both.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing difficult moments just ahead of the general elections. It was looking to score political points on two issues but had to suffer setbacks in both. First, the Supreme Court has held that the Delhi government — headed by AAP leader and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal — had no powers to constitute commissions of inquiry and that the anti-corruption branch of the government could not investigate cases against central government officials. Second, the Congress has spurned the AAP’s offer for an electoral alliance to jointly take on the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming polls. AAP leaders have reacted furiously to the apex court’s ruling, with Kejriwal exclaiming, ‘What sort of verdict is this!” But his party colleague and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh went a step further, wondering whether the court would give a judgement against the Modi regime. There have been demands by AAP’s detractors to slap a contempt of court case against the Rajya Sabha member. So far the court has not taken note of the remarks, and some BJP leaders have said the party would take a call soon on moving a contempt plea. In February 2015, soon after the AAP government took charge for a second time, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issues a notification that services would be under the purview of the Lieutenant Governor, who is a representative of the central government. The notification also stated that the state’s anti-corruption branch would not register cases against central government employees, let alone investigate those instances. In August 2016, following AAP’s appeal, the Delhi High Court snubbed AAP by ruling that the Lt Governor was the administrative head. The matter went to the Supreme Court, and in July 2018, the court said that the Lt Governor would retain powers in matters related to police, public order and land, but that decisions of the elected regime did not require the Lt Governor’s concurrence. While this last ruling was exploited as a ‘victory’ by all sides, the confusion over the powers of the Lt Governor and the elected government remained largely unaddressed. The February 14 order is clearer, and yet one issue remains unsettled: That of controlling authority over the administrative services. The two-judge bench which delivered the latest ruling was divided on whether the state regime had powers over the administrative cadre of the rank below joint secretary, and a larger Bench will now look into the matter. Thus, while the AAP can still hope for a favourable verdict on this count, it's on the backfoot for the moment. Its opponents have hailed the court order and claimed it is a slap on the face of an ‘anarchist Kejriwal’ and his government. The second setback, that of the Congress’s refusal to align with the AAP, is equally embarrassing for Delhi’s ruling party. The Delhi unit of the Congress under its new leader Sheila Dikshit is not keen on any understanding with the AAP in the state. Kejriwal has had the mortification of being snubbed openly on the matter, and he has had to concede that so far, his desire to have a pact with the Congress to contain the BJP has not gone anywhere. Kejriwal seems to have forgotten the anti-graft campaign he had been a prominent part of, against the then Dikshit regime in Delhi — a campaign that eventually fetched his power in Delhi and the chief ministership too. Then he had threatened to jail the senior Congress leader. But why is the AAP over-eager to tie up with the Congress, when it claims to have the overwhelming support of the people? How is it that a party which has a near monopoly in numbers in the Delhi Assembly, has to crave for support from another party which has no representation from Delhi, either in the Lok Sabha or in the Assembly? There are two essential reasons. The first is that the AAP fears a washout in Delhi, similar to the one in 2014 — the best-case scenario could be a seat or two. The second is that unlike in 2014, the party’s prospects in Punjab, which gave it four MPs, are bleak. The AAP’s Punjab affairs are in a shambles, with various party leaders having left the organisation. Besides, the Congress led by Captain Amarinder Singh is sitting pretty in the state; let alone the AAP, even the BJP-Akali Dal combine will find it difficult to counter the Chief Minister. Five years ago, the AAP had first formed the government with the Congress’s outside backing and soon enough ended the arrangement after ‘apologising’ to the people for the mistake (of having taken the support). Then, the parting of ways clicked for the AAP as it stormed back to power. Today it needs the Congress to remain relevant in the Lok Sabha. How things change! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

With setbacks from Supreme Court and Congress, the road ahead is tough for Aam Aadmi Party

Claiming that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-vs-centre-sc-delivers-split-verdict-on-control-of-services-refers-it-to-larger-bench-197305">Supreme Court's split verdict</a> on the contentious issue of control of services in the National Capital Territory is against "constitution and democracy", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said the AAP government will seek legal remedies.

At a press conference after the apex court order, he accused the BJP-led government at the centre of creating hurdles in the functioning of the AAP dispensation and appealed to the people to elect AAP candidates in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital in the upcoming general elections to help the party achieve full-statehood for Delhi.

"The judgment is against constitution and democracy. We will seek legal remedies," Kejriwal said, adding it was an "injustice to the people" of Delhi. 
&nbsp; 
"The people of Delhi helped us win 67 of 70 seats. An elected government doesn't even have the power to transfer officers, but those with three seats (BJP) do. How will the government function if we can't transfer non-performing officials?" he posed.

"The solution to the problem lies with the people of Delhi. I appeal to the residents not to see the polls as only to elect a prime minister. Please give all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the AAP. We will force the government at the Centre to give full statehood to Delhi," the AAP national convener said.

In a jolt to the AAP dispensation, the Supreme Court Thursday delivered a split verdict on the contentious issue of control of services in the National Capital Territory between the Delhi government and the Centre and referred the matter to a larger bench.

A two-judge bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, however, agreed on their views on disputes pertaining to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), setting up of a commission of inquiry, control over electricity boards, land revenue matters and appointment of public prosecutors.

The apex court also upheld the Centre's notification that its employees cannot be probed in corruption cases by ACB of Delhi government.

Claiming the court order states the elected government has no power to transfer officers, Kejriwal sought to know how the AAP dispensation will work and said the chief minister of Delhi does not have the power to appoint even a peon.

"We have been suffering for the last four years. For every work and forgetting each file cleared, if the Delhi chief minister and his ministers have to hold protests and sit on hunger strike at the L-G house, how will the government work? What sort of democracy is it?" he asked.

On former Delhi chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit's comments that according to the constitution "Delhi government doesn't have unlimited powers and, the L-G and the MHA also have control over many things", Kejriwal said his predecessor should refrain from making such statements for short-term political gains.

"I respect Sheila Dikshit ji. I appeal to her not to make such comments. We don't even have 10 per cent of the power that her government had. Didn't she have the power to transfer officers? Didn't she have ACB under her? Still, in the last four years we have done more work than her government did in 15 years," he said.

Claiming that the Supreme Court's split verdict on the contentious issue of control of services in the National Capital Territory is against "constitution and democracy", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said the AAP government will seek legal remedies.

Claiming that the Supreme Court's split verdict on the contentious issue of control of services in the National Capital Territory is against "constitution and democracy", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said the AAP government will seek legal remedies. At a press conference after the apex court order, he accused the BJP-led government at the centre of creating hurdles in the functioning of the AAP dispensation and appealed to the people to elect AAP candidates in all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital in the upcoming general elections to help the party achieve full-statehood for Delhi. "The judgment is against constitution and democracy. We will seek legal remedies," Kejriwal said, adding it was an "injustice to the people" of Delhi. "The people of Delhi helped us win 67 of 70 seats. An elected government doesn't even have the power to transfer officers, but those with three seats (BJP) do. How will the government function if we can't transfer non-performing officials?" he posed. "The solution to the problem lies with the people of Delhi. I appeal to the residents not to see the polls as only to elect a prime minister. Please give all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the AAP. We will force the government at the Centre to give full statehood to Delhi," the AAP national convener said. In a jolt to the AAP dispensation, the Supreme Court Thursday delivered a split verdict on the contentious issue of control of services in the National Capital Territory between the Delhi government and the Centre and referred the matter to a larger bench. A two-judge bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, however, agreed on their views on disputes pertaining to the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), setting up of a commission of inquiry, control over electricity boards, land revenue matters and appointment of public prosecutors. The apex court also upheld the Centre's notification that its employees cannot be probed in corruption cases by ACB of Delhi government. Claiming the court order states the elected government has no power to transfer officers, Kejriwal sought to know how the AAP dispensation will work and said the chief minister of Delhi does not have the power to appoint even a peon. "We have been suffering for the last four years. For every work and forgetting each file cleared, if the Delhi chief minister and his ministers have to hold protests and sit on hunger strike at the L-G house, how will the government work? What sort of democracy is it?" he asked. On former Delhi chief minister and Congress leader Sheila Dikshit's comments that according to the constitution "Delhi government doesn't have unlimited powers and, the L-G and the MHA also have control over many things", Kejriwal said his predecessor should refrain from making such statements for short-term political gains. "I respect Sheila Dikshit ji. I appeal to her not to make such comments. We don't even have 10 per cent of the power that her government had. Didn't she have the power to transfer officers? Didn't she have ACB under her? Still, in the last four years we have done more work than her government did in 15 years," he said.

Supreme Court's split verdict on control of services against 'constitution and democracy', says Kejriwal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said the opposition will form a pre-poll alliance before the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

"We'll work together at the national level. We'll have a common minimum agenda. We'll have a pre-poll alliance," Mamata said Wednesday night.&nbsp;

Mamata made her statement after meeting with the NCP's Sharad Pawar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naid, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, Delhi Chief Minsister Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after a meeting with Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, Farooq Abdullah, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal: We'll work together at the national level. We'll have a common minimum agenda. We'll have a pre-poll alliance <a href="https://t.co/da9lCV5hIE">pic.twitter.com/da9lCV5hIE</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1095724544361345025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"We had a very constructive meeting. We agreed that the principal target for all of us is to fight against the assault on institutes," Congress President Rahul Gandhi said.&nbsp;

"We agreed to start a conversation about a common minimum programme and we have a comittment that we're all going to work together," Rahul added. &nbsp;

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Congress Pres Rahul Gandhi after a meeting with Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal: We had a very constructive meeting. We agreed that principal target for all of us is to fight against assault on institutes being carried out by BJP <a href="https://t.co/XIuWB52LUg">pic.twitter.com/XIuWB52LUg</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1095722817067216896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mamata had already provided an inkling about&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-fight-the-lok-sabha-elections-together-mamata-banerjee-197206">an opposition alliance</a> Wednesday evening at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.&nbsp;

"We will fight together in the coming days," Mamata had said at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.&nbsp;

She added then that her fight against the Congress and the CPM would remain confined to the state — but that at the national level they would fight together.&nbsp;

Mamata had been joined at Jantar Mantar by Naidu and Kejriwal.&nbsp;

"We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election," Naidu had said on Wednesday evening.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said the opposition will form a pre-poll alliance before the Lok Sabha elections. "We'll work together at the national level.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said the opposition will form a pre-poll alliance before the Lok Sabha elections. "We'll work together at the national level. We'll have a common minimum agenda. We'll have a pre-poll alliance," Mamata said Wednesday night. Mamata made her statement after meeting with the NCP's Sharad Pawar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naid, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, Delhi Chief Minsister Arvind Kejriwal, and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee after a meeting with Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, Farooq Abdullah, Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal: We'll work together at the national level. We'll have a common minimum agenda. We'll have a pre-poll alliance pic.twitter.com/da9lCV5hIE — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019 × "We had a very constructive meeting. We agreed that the principal target for all of us is to fight against the assault on institutes," Congress President Rahul Gandhi said. "We agreed to start a conversation about a common minimum programme and we have a comittment that we're all going to work together," Rahul added. Congress Pres Rahul Gandhi after a meeting with Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu, Farooq Abdullah, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal: We had a very constructive meeting. We agreed that principal target for all of us is to fight against assault on institutes being carried out by BJP pic.twitter.com/XIuWB52LUg — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019 × Mamata had already provided an inkling about an opposition alliance Wednesday evening at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. "We will fight together in the coming days," Mamata had said at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. She added then that her fight against the Congress and the CPM would remain confined to the state — but that at the national level they would fight together. Mamata had been joined at Jantar Mantar by Naidu and Kejriwal. "We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election," Naidu had said on Wednesday evening.

Lok Sabha elections: Opposition will form pre-poll alliance, says Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Wednesday that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-opposition-wins-rahul-gandhi-open-to-mayawati-mamata-as-pm-in-2019-reports-154267">the opposition will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together</a>.&nbsp;

"We will fight together in the coming days," Mamata said at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.&nbsp;

She added that her fight against the Congress and the CPM would remain confined to the state — but that at the national level they would fight together.&nbsp;

"Let them fight against me, I don't mind. For interest of the nation, I'm ready to sacrifice my life/ party," she added.&nbsp;

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Mamata Banerjee: Aane waale din ekhatte hoke humlog ladenge. Hamare saath Congress, CPM ka jo bhi fight rahega state mein rahega. National level mein hum ek saath ladenge. Let them fight against me, I don't mind. For interest of the nation, I'm ready to sacrifice my life/party <a href="https://t.co/Bi3RWcOnXx">pic.twitter.com/Bi3RWcOnXx</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1095661685753270273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Mamata has of course just emerged from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mamata-banerjee-sits-on-dharna-after-cbi-kolkata-police-face-off-194890">a massive clash against the Centre</a> after the CBI showed up unannounced at the Kolkata Police chief's home, accusing him of slow-walking the investigations into the Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund scams in Bengal.&nbsp;

Mamata had said the CBI's turning up unannounced at Rajeev Kumar's home was a "destruction of the federal structure", and had a few hours later announced her "Save the Constitution" dharna.&nbsp;

She called off her dharna after a closed-door meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. (A number of opposition leaders had called Mamata after her run-in with the Centre, offering their support.)&nbsp;

"We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election," Naidu said on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar.&nbsp;

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Andhra Pradesh CM &amp; TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi: We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election. <a href="https://t.co/55hfgefv5p">pic.twitter.com/55hfgefv5p</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1095661894524911616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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ANI meanwhile reported that Mamata, Naidu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah would meet later on Wednesday at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's home.&nbsp;

A notable absentee from Wednesday's meeting will of course be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.&nbsp;

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Wednesday that the opposition will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together. "We will fight together in the coming days," Mamata said at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said Wednesday that the opposition will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections together. "We will fight together in the coming days," Mamata said at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. She added that her fight against the Congress and the CPM would remain confined to the state — but that at the national level they would fight together. "Let them fight against me, I don't mind. For interest of the nation, I'm ready to sacrifice my life/ party," she added. Mamata Banerjee: Aane waale din ekhatte hoke humlog ladenge. Hamare saath Congress, CPM ka jo bhi fight rahega state mein rahega. National level mein hum ek saath ladenge. Let them fight against me, I don't mind. For interest of the nation, I'm ready to sacrifice my life/party pic.twitter.com/Bi3RWcOnXx — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019 × Mamata has of course just emerged from a massive clash against the Centre after the CBI showed up unannounced at the Kolkata Police chief's home, accusing him of slow-walking the investigations into the Saradha and Rose Valley chit fund scams in Bengal. Mamata had said the CBI's turning up unannounced at Rajeev Kumar's home was a "destruction of the federal structure", and had a few hours later announced her "Save the Constitution" dharna. She called off her dharna after a closed-door meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. (A number of opposition leaders had called Mamata after her run-in with the Centre, offering their support.) "We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election," Naidu said on Wednesday at Jantar Mantar. Andhra Pradesh CM & TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Delhi: We are in danger, we have to protect this nation, democracy is under threat. If all of us are not united, this is the last election for all of us, tomorrow there won't be any election. pic.twitter.com/55hfgefv5p — ANI (@ANI) February 13, 2019 × ANI meanwhile reported that Mamata, Naidu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah would meet later on Wednesday at NCP chief Sharad Pawar's home. A notable absentee from Wednesday's meeting will of course be Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Opposition will fight the Lok Sabha elections together: Mamata Banerjee

&nbsp;A three-lane flyover on Noida Link Road near Mayur Vihar Phase-I was thrown open to the public on Friday.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the 1-km flyover, which is part of Barapullah Elevated Road corridor under phase III extension from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. The flyover is expected to ease traffic on this stretch. The project has been executed in 36 months at a cost of Rs 45 crore.

It is expected to facilitate signal-free movement in the area. Further, two loops connect the flyover in the middle part to facilitate traffic movement for Mayur Vihar.

The flyover, which was planned and executed by PWD Delhi, was a key project of the AAP government. In order to overcome the bottlenecks caused by traffic coming from Noida and Mayur Vihar, this project was proposed, official said.

At the inauguration event, Kejriwal attacked the BJP-led central government, saying it had created hurdles in the functioning of his government in the national capital.&nbsp;

A three-lane flyover on Noida Link Road near Mayur Vihar Phase-I was thrown open to the public on Friday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the 1-km flyover, which is part of Barapullah Elevated Road corridor under phase III extension from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi.

A three-lane flyover on Noida Link Road near Mayur Vihar Phase-I was thrown open to the public on Friday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the 1-km flyover, which is part of Barapullah Elevated Road corridor under phase III extension from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. The flyover is expected to ease traffic on this stretch. The project has been executed in 36 months at a cost of Rs 45 crore. It is expected to facilitate signal-free movement in the area. Further, two loops connect the flyover in the middle part to facilitate traffic movement for Mayur Vihar. The flyover, which was planned and executed by PWD Delhi, was a key project of the AAP government. In order to overcome the bottlenecks caused by traffic coming from Noida and Mayur Vihar, this project was proposed, official said. At the inauguration event, Kejriwal attacked the BJP-led central government, saying it had created hurdles in the functioning of his government in the national capital.

Kejriwal inaugurates three-lane flyover on Noida Link Road

BJP’s Delhi unit on Monday filed a criminal defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other members of AAP for allegedly blaming it for the deletion of names of lakhs of voters from the electoral roll in the national capital.

Apart from Kejriwal, AAP Member of Rajya Sabha Sushil Kumar Gupta, MLA Manoj Kumar and AAP spokesperson Atishi Malena have been named in the case.

BJP leader Rajeev Babbar has filed the defamation suit in a Delhi court. The court has accepted the plea and will hear the matter on February 5.

Chief Minister Kejriwal had alleged that the names of 30 lakh voters had been deleted from the electoral rolls in Delhi.

“Not 40k. Total 30 lakh votes deleted. 4 lakh Baniyas, 8 lakh Muslims, 15 lakh Poorvanchalis and 3 lakh rest,” Kejriwal had tweeted on December 6 last year.

While contending that the matter of adding or removing voters from the electoral rolls is the Elections Commission’s responsibility and not of any political party, the BJP stated that the allegations by the AAP are “unfortunate and false.”&nbsp;

BJP’s Delhi unit on Monday filed a criminal defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other members of AAP for allegedly blaming it for the deletion of names of lakhs of voters from the electoral roll in the national capital.

BJP’s Delhi unit on Monday filed a criminal defamation case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other members of AAP for allegedly blaming it for the deletion of names of lakhs of voters from the electoral roll in the national capital. Apart from Kejriwal, AAP Member of Rajya Sabha Sushil Kumar Gupta, MLA Manoj Kumar and AAP spokesperson Atishi Malena have been named in the case. BJP leader Rajeev Babbar has filed the defamation suit in a Delhi court. The court has accepted the plea and will hear the matter on February 5. Chief Minister Kejriwal had alleged that the names of 30 lakh voters had been deleted from the electoral rolls in Delhi. “Not 40k. Total 30 lakh votes deleted. 4 lakh Baniyas, 8 lakh Muslims, 15 lakh Poorvanchalis and 3 lakh rest,” Kejriwal had tweeted on December 6 last year. While contending that the matter of adding or removing voters from the electoral rolls is the Elections Commission’s responsibility and not of any political party, the BJP stated that the allegations by the AAP are “unfortunate and false.”

Delhi BJP files defamation case against Kejriwal, other AAP leaders

Don't think 'mama' has become weak, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who lost power in the recent Assembly elections, asserted Sunday and claimed the BJP will win at least 27 out of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-polls-will-be-second-fight-for-independence-stalin-at-tmcs-opposition-rally-191385">29 Lok Sabha seats in the state</a>.

Congress may have formed a government in the state but it could fall "anytime as it lacks majority", Chouhan, who is also called 'mama' or uncle, said at 'Yuva Vijay Sankalp Maharally' of Delhi BJP's Yuva Morcha.

"Don't think mama has become weak. I promise you that we will win at least 27 seats, as we did in 2014, out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats, in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-136-crore-voters-in-delhi-in-final-electoral-roll-lok-sabha-polls-191350">the coming elections</a>," said the senior BJP leader.

Hitting out at Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan claimed BJP could also have formed a "lame" government too but it decided it would do so only with a grand majority.

Chouhan also mocked the gathering of opposition leaders at Saturday's Kolkata rally as "bhanumati ka kunaba" (marriage of convenience), saying there was no unanimity over a common leader among the parties planning the 'mahagathbandhan'.

"It's like a wedding without a groom. On the other hand, we have a leader in the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead us in the battleground," he said.

The 'Yuva Vijay Sankalp Maharally' was the fifth of a series of big rallies held by the Delhi BJP in the last two months, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

However, the event saw a not so whelming attendance. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari warned from the stage that it would be investigated who were the persons leaving the venue during speeches of the leaders. 
Delhi BJP Yuva Morcha president Sunil Yadav claimed the event was attended by over 20,000 persons.

"People were coming and going but the chairs were full," he said.

The Yuva Morcha had planned to torch 40-feet effigies of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal but the plan was shelved in view of poor air quality in the city, Yadav said.

The rally was attended by many senior BJP leaders including Union minister Vijay Goel who attacked Kejriwal, alleging that his government in Delhi has "destroyed" the city.

Jaibhan Pawaiya, Lok Sabha election co-incharge of Delhi BJP, asked students to sharpen their arguments to face the challenge of being mocked on the slogan of "Achhe Din" by the opponents and counter it with achievements of the Modi government.

Congress may have formed a government in the state but it could fall 'anytime as it lacks majority', Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is also called 'mama' or uncle, said at a rally of Delhi BJP's Yuva Morcha.

Don't think 'mama' has become weak, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who lost power in the recent Assembly elections, asserted Sunday and claimed the BJP will win at least 27 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Congress may have formed a government in the state but it could fall "anytime as it lacks majority", Chouhan, who is also called 'mama' or uncle, said at 'Yuva Vijay Sankalp Maharally' of Delhi BJP's Yuva Morcha. "Don't think mama has become weak. I promise you that we will win at least 27 seats, as we did in 2014, out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats, in the coming elections," said the senior BJP leader. Hitting out at Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan claimed BJP could also have formed a "lame" government too but it decided it would do so only with a grand majority. Chouhan also mocked the gathering of opposition leaders at Saturday's Kolkata rally as "bhanumati ka kunaba" (marriage of convenience), saying there was no unanimity over a common leader among the parties planning the 'mahagathbandhan'. "It's like a wedding without a groom. On the other hand, we have a leader in the form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead us in the battleground," he said. The 'Yuva Vijay Sankalp Maharally' was the fifth of a series of big rallies held by the Delhi BJP in the last two months, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. However, the event saw a not so whelming attendance. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari warned from the stage that it would be investigated who were the persons leaving the venue during speeches of the leaders. Delhi BJP Yuva Morcha president Sunil Yadav claimed the event was attended by over 20,000 persons. "People were coming and going but the chairs were full," he said. The Yuva Morcha had planned to torch 40-feet effigies of Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal but the plan was shelved in view of poor air quality in the city, Yadav said. The rally was attended by many senior BJP leaders including Union minister Vijay Goel who attacked Kejriwal, alleging that his government in Delhi has "destroyed" the city. Jaibhan Pawaiya, Lok Sabha election co-incharge of Delhi BJP, asked students to sharpen their arguments to face the challenge of being mocked on the slogan of "Achhe Din" by the opponents and counter it with achievements of the Modi government.

Don't think 'mama' has become weak, will win 27 Lok Sabha seats in MP: Shivraj Chouhan

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-green-tribunal-slaps-rs-25-crore-fine-on-delhi-government-over-air-pollution-181132">recommended major fine on Volkswagen</a> for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore&nbsp;in the emission case&nbsp;by 5pm on Friday.

The anti-pollution body said failure to deposit the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ngt-slaps-rs-5-crore-fine-on-west-bengal-government-for-failing-to-curb-air-pollution-179940">amount would result in punitive action</a> including the arrest of carmaker's India Managing Director(MD) and seizure of all properties in India.

On Tuesday, a four-member panel had recommended &nbsp;Rs 171.34 crore fine on German auto major for causing health hazard in Delhi. The expert committee in its report had estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital.

Nitrogen oxide is a smog-forming pollutant linked to heart and lung disease.

The four-member panel comprising of ARAI director Rashmi Urdhwareshe, chief scientist of CSIR-NEERI Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, director of ministry of heavy industries Ramakant Singh and Prashant Gargava, member of CPCB had concluded that the approximate figure of Rs 171.34 crore was a "conservative" estimate due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India.

The panel was formed last year to give expert advice on effect of car emissions on the environment. The committee had told the NGT that cars were a major source of nitrogen oxide emissions with nitrogen dioxide being the most prevalent source form of nitrogen oxide.

In December 2015, Volkswagen India had announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in the country to fix the emission software after ARAI had conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms.

The German company had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe, and other global markets to manipulate emission test results.

Last month as fog conditions escalated in the capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said the government would implement the odd-even scheme, to regulate plying of private vehicles in the city.

However, the measure wasn't implemented as pollution levels remained under control in the last week of December and in the new year. 
&nbsp;

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel recommended major fine on Volkswagen for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore in the emission case by 5pm on Friday.

After a National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel recommended major fine on Volkswagen for causing "health damages" and air pollution in Delhi due to excess nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the tribunal asked the German carmaker to deposit Rs 100 crore in the emission case by 5pm on Friday. The anti-pollution body said failure to deposit the amount would result in punitive action including the arrest of carmaker's India Managing Director(MD) and seizure of all properties in India. On Tuesday, a four-member panel had recommended Rs 171.34 crore fine on German auto major for causing health hazard in Delhi. The expert committee in its report had estimated that Volkswagen cars released approximately 48.678 tonnes of NOx in 2016 in the national capital. Nitrogen oxide is a smog-forming pollutant linked to heart and lung disease. The four-member panel comprising of ARAI director Rashmi Urdhwareshe, chief scientist of CSIR-NEERI Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, director of ministry of heavy industries Ramakant Singh and Prashant Gargava, member of CPCB had concluded that the approximate figure of Rs 171.34 crore was a "conservative" estimate due to lack of methodologies for calculating the overall impact of nitrogen oxide on the environment in India. The panel was formed last year to give expert advice on effect of car emissions on the environment. The committee had told the NGT that cars were a major source of nitrogen oxide emissions with nitrogen dioxide being the most prevalent source form of nitrogen oxide. In December 2015, Volkswagen India had announced the recall of 3,23,700 lakh vehicles in the country to fix the emission software after ARAI had conducted tests on some models and found that their on-road emissions were 1.1 times to 2.6 times higher than the applicable BS-IV norms. The German company had admitted to the use of 'defeat device' in 11 million diesel engine cars sold in the US, Europe, and other global markets to manipulate emission test results. Last month as fog conditions escalated in the capital, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said the government would implement the odd-even scheme, to regulate plying of private vehicles in the city. However, the measure wasn't implemented as pollution levels remained under control in the last week of December and in the new year.

NGT panel orders Volkswagen to pay Rs 100 crore fine in emissions case

A 24-year-old man, arrested for allegedly sending e-mails to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-kidnap-your-daughter-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-gets-threat-in-anonymous-email-189908">threatening to abduct his daughter</a>, wanted to draw the attention of a high-profile person in order to get better treatment for his psychiatric issues, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, Vikas Rai, a resident of Samastipur in Bihar, was preparing for the SSC CGL exams in the national capital, they said, adding that he had been staying in Delhi for over a year now.

He was currently being interrogated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Special Cell of Delhi police, officials said.

After sending the e-mails, Rai had left for his sister's place at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. The police traced him and asked him to join the investigation.

Rai was arrested on Tuesday after the police took permission from the court since the FIR against him was registered for non-cognisable offences, the police said.

The accused, who was undergoing treatment for psychiatric issues at the Safdarjung Hospital here and was declared fit, felt he needed better treatment facilities, a senior police officer said.

"He was undergoing treatment for the last one-and-a-half to two months and the doctor told him that he was a normal person who needed to exercise and relax. He was not satisfied with the doctor's advice and felt that if he did something like this (sending the e-mails), he would be treated as someone with mental problems and would get better treatment," the officer added.

In order to draw the attention of a high-profile person to the issue, he had sent the e-mails to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), allegedly threatening to abduct his daughter.

A second-year B.Sc student, Rai was pursuing his degree through correspondence from a university in Bihar.

The police have seized the phone he allegedly used to send the e-mails.

Rai had sent three e-mails from his ID. The first one threatened to abduct the chief minister's daughter, the second one said the first e-mail was not fake, while the third one said it was a fake e-mail and should not be taken seriously, the officer said.

Rai was traced with the help of Google, which searched for the IP address from which the e-mail was sent.

The accused used to stay with his maternal aunt at Pul Prahladpur in the national capital. His family has also told the police that he was "mentally disturbed".

"He has said that he did not have any intention to harm Kejriwal's daughter and it seems so till now. So far, we have not found any previous criminal record in his name. We are probing further and examining all the aspects," the officer said.

Rai's father works in Mumbai, while his mother stays in Bihar.

The CMO had received the anonymous e-mails on January 9, which were forwarded to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik.

A Protective Service Officer was deployed by the North district police for Kejriwal's daughter's security, officials said. PTI SLB AMP RC 01152050

A 24-year-old man, arrested for allegedly sending e-mails to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office threatening to abduct his daughter, wanted to draw the attention of a high-profile person in order to get better treatment for his psychiatric issues, police said on Tuesday.

A 24-year-old man, arrested for allegedly sending e-mails to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's office threatening to abduct his daughter, wanted to draw the attention of a high-profile person in order to get better treatment for his psychiatric issues, police said on Tuesday. The accused, Vikas Rai, a resident of Samastipur in Bihar, was preparing for the SSC CGL exams in the national capital, they said, adding that he had been staying in Delhi for over a year now. He was currently being interrogated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Special Cell of Delhi police, officials said. After sending the e-mails, Rai had left for his sister's place at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh. The police traced him and asked him to join the investigation. Rai was arrested on Tuesday after the police took permission from the court since the FIR against him was registered for non-cognisable offences, the police said. The accused, who was undergoing treatment for psychiatric issues at the Safdarjung Hospital here and was declared fit, felt he needed better treatment facilities, a senior police officer said. "He was undergoing treatment for the last one-and-a-half to two months and the doctor told him that he was a normal person who needed to exercise and relax. He was not satisfied with the doctor's advice and felt that if he did something like this (sending the e-mails), he would be treated as someone with mental problems and would get better treatment," the officer added. In order to draw the attention of a high-profile person to the issue, he had sent the e-mails to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), allegedly threatening to abduct his daughter. A second-year B.Sc student, Rai was pursuing his degree through correspondence from a university in Bihar. The police have seized the phone he allegedly used to send the e-mails. Rai had sent three e-mails from his ID. The first one threatened to abduct the chief minister's daughter, the second one said the first e-mail was not fake, while the third one said it was a fake e-mail and should not be taken seriously, the officer said. Rai was traced with the help of Google, which searched for the IP address from which the e-mail was sent. The accused used to stay with his maternal aunt at Pul Prahladpur in the national capital. His family has also told the police that he was "mentally disturbed". "He has said that he did not have any intention to harm Kejriwal's daughter and it seems so till now. So far, we have not found any previous criminal record in his name. We are probing further and examining all the aspects," the officer said. Rai's father works in Mumbai, while his mother stays in Bihar. The CMO had received the anonymous e-mails on January 9, which were forwarded to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik. A Protective Service Officer was deployed by the North district police for Kejriwal's daughter's security, officials said. PTI SLB AMP RC 01152050

Man arrested for allegedly sending e-mails threatening to abduct Kejriwal's daughter 

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat.

"Kejriwal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls, as he wants to give special focus to his state. The AAP will contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Goa. The party will contest on some seats in UP, and final modalities will be worked out by February. Apart from Varanasi, the party will contest from seats in eastern and western UP, where the organisation is strong," AAP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told PTI.

Singh said in Delhi his party is working on education, health, farmers, power and providing drinking water. "If we foray into national politics, then our issues will be education for all, free education to economically weaker sections of the society, ending unemployment and implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Singh said.

On a recent statement made by Kejriwal to not vote for the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "Kejriwal was quoted out of context. He had said that in a meeting in the national capital that if you want to defeat the BJP, then do not waste your vote by casting it in favour of the Congress. His statement was in the context of Delhi, from where the AAP is contesting on all the seats."&nbsp;

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat.

The Aam Aadmi Party Sunday said its convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be contesting from Varanasi in the coming Lok Sabha elections, but the party will field a strong candidate for the seat. "Kejriwal will not contest the Lok Sabha polls, as he wants to give special focus to his state. The AAP will contest on all the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Goa. The party will contest on some seats in UP, and final modalities will be worked out by February. Apart from Varanasi, the party will contest from seats in eastern and western UP, where the organisation is strong," AAP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh told PTI. Singh said in Delhi his party is working on education, health, farmers, power and providing drinking water. "If we foray into national politics, then our issues will be education for all, free education to economically weaker sections of the society, ending unemployment and implementing the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission," Singh said. On a recent statement made by Kejriwal to not vote for the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Singh said, "Kejriwal was quoted out of context. He had said that in a meeting in the national capital that if you want to defeat the BJP, then do not waste your vote by casting it in favour of the Congress. His statement was in the context of Delhi, from where the AAP is contesting on all the seats."

Kejriwal to not contest Lok Sabha polls from Varanasi, party to field another candidate

Delhi Chief Minister's Office received an anonymous mail on January 9 that threatened to kidnap Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's daughter, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

As per reports, Delhi Police has deployed a Protective Service Officer (PSO) for Chief Minister's daughter Harshita Kejriwal. The matter has been handed over to the cyber cell.

A Delhi Police official confirmed that an email was received and said it has been handed over to the Cyber Cell of the Special Cell, which is analysing it and trying to ascertain the IP address from which the email originated, news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

A government official said, "Delhi government had forwarded the threat email to Delhi Police Commissioner three days ago." The official said the Delhi government has not been given any information so far by the police.

Kejriwal has been at the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-arrest-cleric-caught-with-bullet-while-his-visit-to-cm-kejriwal-179661">receiving end of threats</a> in the past few months. In November, Delhi Police arrested a man caught with a bullet in his pocket during his visit to Kejriwal.

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Delhi Chief Minister's Office received an anonymous mail on January 9 that threatened to kidnap CM Arvind Kejriwal's daughter. Delhi Police has deployed a Protective Service Officer (PSO) for CM's daughter &amp; the matter has been handed over to Cyber cell. <a href="https://t.co/Jy9PJaRF9k">pic.twitter.com/Jy9PJaRF9k</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1084105483093528578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The man, identified as Imran, told police that he found the bullet in the donation given to a mosque, kept it in his wallet and later forgot about it, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

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Delhi police: The man, identified as Imran, told police that he found the bullets in the donation of a mosque, kept it in his wallet and later forgot about it. The police are investigating the matter. <a href="https://t.co/wx45611D3f">https://t.co/wx45611D3f</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1067264235800014848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to reports, he was among the clerics who had gone to the CM with a request to increase Waqf Board salaries.

The incident came just a week after a man threw red pepper powder at Kejriwal inside the Delhi Secretariat.

The Delhi CM reacted saying, "I've been attacked four times in two years. It's not a minor issue. These attacks aren't taking place, they're being ordered."&nbsp;

He said these attacks were aimed at taking his life.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister's Office received an anonymous mail on January 9 that threatened to kidnap Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's daughter, news agency ANI reported.

Delhi Chief Minister's Office received an anonymous mail on January 9 that threatened to kidnap Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's daughter, news agency ANI reported. As per reports, Delhi Police has deployed a Protective Service Officer (PSO) for Chief Minister's daughter Harshita Kejriwal. The matter has been handed over to the cyber cell. A Delhi Police official confirmed that an email was received and said it has been handed over to the Cyber Cell of the Special Cell, which is analysing it and trying to ascertain the IP address from which the email originated, news agency PTI reported. A government official said, "Delhi government had forwarded the threat email to Delhi Police Commissioner three days ago." The official said the Delhi government has not been given any information so far by the police. Kejriwal has been at the receiving end of threats in the past few months. In November, Delhi Police arrested a man caught with a bullet in his pocket during his visit to Kejriwal. Delhi Chief Minister's Office received an anonymous mail on January 9 that threatened to kidnap CM Arvind Kejriwal's daughter. Delhi Police has deployed a Protective Service Officer (PSO) for CM's daughter & the matter has been handed over to Cyber cell. pic.twitter.com/Jy9PJaRF9k — ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2019 × The man, identified as Imran, told police that he found the bullet in the donation given to a mosque, kept it in his wallet and later forgot about it, news agency ANI reported. Delhi police: The man, identified as Imran, told police that he found the bullets in the donation of a mosque, kept it in his wallet and later forgot about it. The police are investigating the matter. https://t.co/wx45611D3f — ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2018 × According to reports, he was among the clerics who had gone to the CM with a request to increase Waqf Board salaries. The incident came just a week after a man threw red pepper powder at Kejriwal inside the Delhi Secretariat. The Delhi CM reacted saying, "I've been attacked four times in two years. It's not a minor issue. These attacks aren't taking place, they're being ordered." He said these attacks were aimed at taking his life. (With inputs from agencies)

Will kidnap your daughter: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal gets threat in anonymous email

Actor Prakash Raj, who recently announced he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here Thursday, with the latter saying that his Aam Aadmi Party “fully supports” him.&nbsp;

The actor, who has been vocal about his views on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre, met the chief minister at his official residence in the Civil Lines.&nbsp;

Last week, Raj had said that he would contest the upcoming general elections from the Bengaluru Central constituency as an independent candidate.

“We need people like Prakash Raj to enter Parliament. Prakash ji, it was great meeting u today. AAP fully supports u and we agree wid ur decision to fight as an independent candidate. We need independent and non-partisan voices too in Parliament,” Kejriwal tweeted. According to Raj, he discussed ways with the chief minister to address various issues.

“Met Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal thanked him and @AamAadmiParty for the support in my political journey. Discussed and requested to share various ways to address issues which his team has commendably done…#bengalurucentral #citizensvoice in parliament #justasking in parliament too (sic),” Raj tweeted after the meeting.

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Met delhi CM <a href="https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArvindKejriwal</a> thanked him and <a href="https://twitter.com/AamAadmiParty?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AamAadmiParty</a> for the support in my political journey. Discussed and requested to share various ways to address issues which his team has commendably done.. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bengalurucentral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bengalurucentral</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/citizensvoice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#citizensvoice</a> in parliament <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justasking?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justasking</a> in parliament too <a href="https://t.co/FJu4OirGWW">pic.twitter.com/FJu4OirGWW</a>
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) <a href="https://twitter.com/prakashraaj/status/1083285854649532421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Raj has also been one of those seeking justice for his friend and senior journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot outside her residence in September 2017.

Actor Prakash Raj, who recently announced he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here Thursday, with the latter saying that his Aam Aadmi Party “fully supports” him.

Actor Prakash Raj, who recently announced he would contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here Thursday, with the latter saying that his Aam Aadmi Party “fully supports” him. The actor, who has been vocal about his views on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre, met the chief minister at his official residence in the Civil Lines. Last week, Raj had said that he would contest the upcoming general elections from the Bengaluru Central constituency as an independent candidate. “We need people like Prakash Raj to enter Parliament. Prakash ji, it was great meeting u today. AAP fully supports u and we agree wid ur decision to fight as an independent candidate. We need independent and non-partisan voices too in Parliament,” Kejriwal tweeted. According to Raj, he discussed ways with the chief minister to address various issues. “Met Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal thanked him and @AamAadmiParty for the support in my political journey. Discussed and requested to share various ways to address issues which his team has commendably done…#bengalurucentral #citizensvoice in parliament #justasking in parliament too (sic),” Raj tweeted after the meeting. Met delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal thanked him and @AamAadmiParty for the support in my political journey. Discussed and requested to share various ways to address issues which his team has commendably done.. #bengalurucentral #citizensvoice in parliament #justasking in parliament too pic.twitter.com/FJu4OirGWW — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) January 10, 2019 × Raj has also been one of those seeking justice for his friend and senior journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot outside her residence in September 2017.

Prakash Raj meets Arvind Kejriwal; AAP extends support for his political journey

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday warned people against voting for the Congress even as speculations are rife that AAP is in touch with the grand old party for a tie-up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a function in Kakrola, he also asked people not to vote for the BJP, alleging that all the seven sitting MPs of the party did nothing for Delhi's development.

"Don't vote for the Congress at all, if you vote for the Congress it will strengthen Narendra Modi. Let not your vote split and give all seven MPs to the AAP," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said.

His remarks assume significance as speculations are making rounds that a pre-poll alliance is possible in Delhi between the AAP and the Congress to stop the BJP in 2019 parliamentary elections.

Both the parties have so far avoided denying such speculations.

Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said recently said that political affairs committee of the party will take a call on alliance considering views of leaders and workers from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, after January 15.

Ajay Maken, who was critical of his party's alliance in Delhi with the AAP has resigned as the Delhi Congress president, while senior party leader and former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit maintained that national leadership will take decision about a tie up for 2019 and she will abide by it.

Taken on face value, Kejriwal's appeal to voters not to vote for the Congress means that the AAP is ultimately ready to take an independent plunge in the coming parliamentary polls.

The national executive of the AAP in its recent meeting decided to contest all the seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa and Chandigarh, totalling 33, in the Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday warned people against voting for the Congress even as speculations are rife that AAP is in touch with the grand old party for a tie-up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Sunday warned people against voting for the Congress even as speculations are rife that AAP is in touch with the grand old party for a tie-up for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Addressing a function in Kakrola, he also asked people not to vote for the BJP, alleging that all the seven sitting MPs of the party did nothing for Delhi's development. "Don't vote for the Congress at all, if you vote for the Congress it will strengthen Narendra Modi. Let not your vote split and give all seven MPs to the AAP," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said. His remarks assume significance as speculations are making rounds that a pre-poll alliance is possible in Delhi between the AAP and the Congress to stop the BJP in 2019 parliamentary elections. Both the parties have so far avoided denying such speculations. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said recently said that political affairs committee of the party will take a call on alliance considering views of leaders and workers from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, after January 15. Ajay Maken, who was critical of his party's alliance in Delhi with the AAP has resigned as the Delhi Congress president, while senior party leader and former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit maintained that national leadership will take decision about a tie up for 2019 and she will abide by it. Taken on face value, Kejriwal's appeal to voters not to vote for the Congress means that the AAP is ultimately ready to take an independent plunge in the coming parliamentary polls. The national executive of the AAP in its recent meeting decided to contest all the seats in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa and Chandigarh, totalling 33, in the Lok Sabha elections.

Kejriwal warns people against voting for Congress in Lok Sabha polls

The AAP Tuesday said instead of "wasting" time talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, issues concerning the people needs to be discussed.

Reacting to Modi's televised interview, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the NDA government at the Centre is in its last days and the words of an "outgoing" prime minister will have no effect.

In an interview broadcast by various television channels, Modi talked about a host of issues including the surgical strikes, the Ram temple's construction and personal attacks on him by the Congress.

"It is need of the hour today to discuss issues that concern people of the country rather than wasting time on Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi," Singh said reacting to the PM's interview.

Farmers are forced to throw vegetables and milk on the road, women feel insecure, the youth are disenchanted and still, Modi is avoiding his promises to all of them, he said.

"Modi will have to explain what happened to his promises to the people. Not even a single penny of black money came back after demonetisation although over 100 people died due to it," he said.

Singh charged that if the prime minister felt that the people should wait for the court's judgment on the Ram temple issue then why his party was creating "animosity" in the country in its name.&nbsp;

The AAP Tuesday said instead of "wasting" time talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, issues concerning the people needs to be discussed.

The AAP Tuesday said instead of "wasting" time talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, issues concerning the people needs to be discussed. Reacting to Modi's televised interview, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said the NDA government at the Centre is in its last days and the words of an "outgoing" prime minister will have no effect. In an interview broadcast by various television channels, Modi talked about a host of issues including the surgical strikes, the Ram temple's construction and personal attacks on him by the Congress. "It is need of the hour today to discuss issues that concern people of the country rather than wasting time on Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi," Singh said reacting to the PM's interview. Farmers are forced to throw vegetables and milk on the road, women feel insecure, the youth are disenchanted and still, Modi is avoiding his promises to all of them, he said. "Modi will have to explain what happened to his promises to the people. Not even a single penny of black money came back after demonetisation although over 100 people died due to it," he said. Singh charged that if the prime minister felt that the people should wait for the court's judgment on the Ram temple issue then why his party was creating "animosity" in the country in its name.

Words of 'outgoing' prime minister will have no effect: AAP on PM Modi interview

The national council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Saturday unanimously decided to extend the terms of all of its office-bearers, including party convener <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-implement-odd-even-scheme-whenever-required-kejriwal-186468">Arvind Kejriwal</a>, by a year.

Hinting at the possibility of the AAP becoming a part of the Grand Alliance of opposition parties in the 2019 general polls, senior party leader Gopal Rai told reporters, "Besides playing our role in the Lok Sabha election, we will cooperate with others (parties) to remove the (Narendra) Modi government."

The party would contest the Lok Sabha election in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Goa and Chandigarh with all its might, he said.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the AAP national council, party leader Pankaj Gupta said a proposal to extend the term of the current council by a year in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha election and Delhi Assembly polls was passed unanimously.

"The extension of the national council's term means that the terms of the national executive and convener Arvind Kejriwal are also extended by a year," he told PTI.

The term of the national council was to end on April 23, 2019, Gupta said.

"In the coming days, there will be the (2019) Lok Sabha election and after a few months, the Delhi Assembly polls. In view of this, we have decided that the term of the national council will be extended by a year.

"The proposal was passed unanimously," he told reporters.

Asked whether the term of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal as the party's national convener was also extended, Rai said the terms of all the national council members were extended.

Kejriwal was elected as the national convenor of the AAP for the second time in April 2016 for a period of three years.

According to the party constitution, "No member will hold the same post as an office-bearer for more than two consecutive terms of three years each."

Briefing reporters after the national council meeting, Rai, who is the AAP's Delhi convener, said the council had decided that the party would contest the Lok Sabha polls to end the "autocracy of Narendra Modi".

In other states, the respective state committees will submit their reports to the party's Political Affairs Committee on the strength of the organisation and candidates, Rai said.

He added that the Political Affairs Committee would then take a decision on which seats to contest in these states.

The council discussed issues like the farmers' condition, women security and the Rafale fighter jets deal, which would be raised by the AAP during the campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Rai said.

The national council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Saturday unanimously decided to extend the terms of all of its office-bearers, including party convener Arvind Kejriwal, by a year.

The national council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Saturday unanimously decided to extend the terms of all of its office-bearers, including party convener Arvind Kejriwal, by a year. Hinting at the possibility of the AAP becoming a part of the Grand Alliance of opposition parties in the 2019 general polls, senior party leader Gopal Rai told reporters, "Besides playing our role in the Lok Sabha election, we will cooperate with others (parties) to remove the (Narendra) Modi government." The party would contest the Lok Sabha election in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Goa and Chandigarh with all its might, he said. Talking to reporters after a meeting of the AAP national council, party leader Pankaj Gupta said a proposal to extend the term of the current council by a year in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha election and Delhi Assembly polls was passed unanimously. "The extension of the national council's term means that the terms of the national executive and convener Arvind Kejriwal are also extended by a year," he told PTI. The term of the national council was to end on April 23, 2019, Gupta said. "In the coming days, there will be the (2019) Lok Sabha election and after a few months, the Delhi Assembly polls. In view of this, we have decided that the term of the national council will be extended by a year. "The proposal was passed unanimously," he told reporters. Asked whether the term of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal as the party's national convener was also extended, Rai said the terms of all the national council members were extended. Kejriwal was elected as the national convenor of the AAP for the second time in April 2016 for a period of three years. According to the party constitution, "No member will hold the same post as an office-bearer for more than two consecutive terms of three years each." Briefing reporters after the national council meeting, Rai, who is the AAP's Delhi convener, said the council had decided that the party would contest the Lok Sabha polls to end the "autocracy of Narendra Modi". In other states, the respective state committees will submit their reports to the party's Political Affairs Committee on the strength of the organisation and candidates, Rai said. He added that the Political Affairs Committee would then take a decision on which seats to contest in these states. The council discussed issues like the farmers' condition, women security and the Rafale fighter jets deal, which would be raised by the AAP during the campaigning for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Rai said.

AAP national council's term extended by a year, Kejriwal to remain party chief

Cases involving political bigwigs like P Chidambaram, Lalu Prasad and Shashi Tharoor made headlines in 2018 from Delhi courts which drew global attention while dealing with the case of extradited alleged middleman Christian Michel in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-chopper-case-enforcement-directorate-arrests-christian-michel-185835"> the VVIP chopper scam</a>.

The eventful year in courts saw British national Michel, who was brought to India on December 4 after his extradition from the UAE in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper deal, spending 14 days in CBI custody and now in jail.

While Michel's case drew eyeballs, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, who is currently in London and has been declared a proclaimed offender here for evading summons in a money laundering case related to alleged FERA violation, also faced the heat when a court ordered attachment of his properties.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/metoo-mj-akbar-a-thorough-gentleman-woman-journalist-says-in-court-176880">The #MeToo movement </a>gathered momentum in India and forced veteran journalist and former union minister M J Akbar to approach a Delhi court with a private criminal defamation complaint against a scribe, who accused him of sexual misconduct nearly two decades ago.

Akbar, who had to resign as a minister following the uproar, has denied all the allegations.

Cases involving political heavyweights dominated court proceedings here and the year saw both the CBI and the ED tightening the noose around Congress leader P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case by filing charge sheets against them.

His party colleague Shashi Tharoor was also named in a charge sheet by Delhi Police for allegedly abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Police in its nearly 3,000-page charge sheet also accused the former union minister of subjecting his wife to cruelty.

The Congress further suffered an embarrassment when ED filed a charge sheet against former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, accusing him of projecting around Rs 7 crore proceeds of crime as agricultural income in connivance with others and investing these in purchasing LIC policies.

The trial courts also dealt with some of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/on-anti-sikh-riot-allegations-kamal-nath-says-no-case-fir-against-me-184867"> the 1984 anti-Sikh riots</a> cases and in one case, the death sentence was awarded to a man and life imprisonment to another for killing two persons in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/1984-anti-sikh-riots-no-ground-for-granting-relief-to-sajjan-kumar-says-high-court-185604">Even Sajjan Kumar</a>, who after his conviction and a life term in one such case resigned from the Congress, was attending the trial court in connection with another anti-Sikh riots case.

So was the case of another senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is finding it hard to get discharged from his alleged involvement in the riots even after the CBI gave him a clean chit and sought closure of the case against him.

The criminal case filed by BJP leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/national-herald-case-subramanian-swamy-submits-it-order-against-rahul-sonia-gandhi-30158">Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders</a> including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case also made news from the trial court.

The RJD, an ally of the Congress in Bihar, also had a bad time as its top leadership including jailed chief Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejaswi Yadav had to face legal proceedings in the IRCTC scam.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/enforcement-directorate-summons-lalu-yadavs-son-in-law-in-money-laundring-case-17844?amp">Lalu's daughter </a>Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar were summoned as accused and granted bail in a separate money laundering case in which the ED had earlier attached their Delhi farmhouse.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/arvind-kejriwal-to-be-charged-in-delhis-chief-secretary-assault-case-reports-158876">Aam Aadmi Party and its leadership</a> continued to hog the limelight from trial courts which summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as accused in Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash assault case along with his deputy and others.

Kejriwal had a sigh of relief when he settled various defamation cases against himself by apologising to Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and ex-Union minister Kapil Sibal's son Amit Sibal.

While politicians were facing the heat in the trial courts here, bureaucrats also had a tough time, particularly in cases arising out of the alleged coal block allocation scam during Congress-led UPA regime with former coal secretary H C Gupta getting three-year imprisonment in one such case.

Gupta, the coal secretary from December 31, 2005, to November 2008, has already been convicted in two other cases of coal block allocation in which he has been sentenced for two and three years respectively. He is out on bail in all the cases. Two other bureaucrats also were convicted in Coalgate cases.

The CBI vs CBI case also had its imprint on the courts as the agency arrested one of its own Deputy Superintendents of Police and an alleged middleman.

While DySP Devender Kumar was released after the CBI preferred not to oppose his bail, alleged Dubai-based middleman Manoj Prasad secured relief after the agency failed to file its charge sheet within the stipulated time.

A trial court also framed molestation charges against former TERI chief R K Pachauri in a case of alleged sexual harassment.

The year witnessed anti-terror agencies tightening the noose against terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir with NIA filing charge sheet against separatists and naming Hafiz Saeed, the head of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, for allegedly conspiring to wage a war against the country.

The NIA also arrested and charged Syed Shahid Yusuf, son Salahuddin, with indulging in unlawful activities and raising funds for terror operations in a separate case of 2011.&nbsp;

Cases involving political bigwigs like P Chidambaram, Lalu Prasad and Shashi Tharoor made headlines in 2018 from Delhi courts which drew global attention while dealing with the case of extradited alleged middleman Christian Michel in the VVIP chopper scam.

Cases involving political bigwigs like P Chidambaram, Lalu Prasad and Shashi Tharoor made headlines in 2018 from Delhi courts which drew global attention while dealing with the case of extradited alleged middleman Christian Michel in the VVIP chopper scam. The eventful year in courts saw British national Michel, who was brought to India on December 4 after his extradition from the UAE in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper deal, spending 14 days in CBI custody and now in jail. While Michel's case drew eyeballs, fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, who is currently in London and has been declared a proclaimed offender here for evading summons in a money laundering case related to alleged FERA violation, also faced the heat when a court ordered attachment of his properties. The #MeToo movement gathered momentum in India and forced veteran journalist and former union minister M J Akbar to approach a Delhi court with a private criminal defamation complaint against a scribe, who accused him of sexual misconduct nearly two decades ago. Akbar, who had to resign as a minister following the uproar, has denied all the allegations. Cases involving political heavyweights dominated court proceedings here and the year saw both the CBI and the ED tightening the noose around Congress leader P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case by filing charge sheets against them. His party colleague Shashi Tharoor was also named in a charge sheet by Delhi Police for allegedly abetting the suicide of his wife Sunanda Pushkar. Police in its nearly 3,000-page charge sheet also accused the former union minister of subjecting his wife to cruelty. The Congress further suffered an embarrassment when ED filed a charge sheet against former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, accusing him of projecting around Rs 7 crore proceeds of crime as agricultural income in connivance with others and investing these in purchasing LIC policies. The trial courts also dealt with some of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases and in one case, the death sentence was awarded to a man and life imprisonment to another for killing two persons in south Delhi's Mahipalpur area. Even Sajjan Kumar, who after his conviction and a life term in one such case resigned from the Congress, was attending the trial court in connection with another anti-Sikh riots case. So was the case of another senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, who is finding it hard to get discharged from his alleged involvement in the riots even after the CBI gave him a clean chit and sought closure of the case against him. The criminal case filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case also made news from the trial court. The RJD, an ally of the Congress in Bihar, also had a bad time as its top leadership including jailed chief Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejaswi Yadav had to face legal proceedings in the IRCTC scam. Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti and her husband Shailesh Kumar were summoned as accused and granted bail in a separate money laundering case in which the ED had earlier attached their Delhi farmhouse. Aam Aadmi Party and its leadership continued to hog the limelight from trial courts which summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as accused in Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash assault case along with his deputy and others. Kejriwal had a sigh of relief when he settled various defamation cases against himself by apologising to Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Nitin Gadkari and ex-Union minister Kapil Sibal's son Amit Sibal. While politicians were facing the heat in the trial courts here, bureaucrats also had a tough time, particularly in cases arising out of the alleged coal block allocation scam during Congress-led UPA regime with former coal secretary H C Gupta getting three-year imprisonment in one such case. Gupta, the coal secretary from December 31, 2005, to November 2008, has already been convicted in two other cases of coal block allocation in which he has been sentenced for two and three years respectively. He is out on bail in all the cases. Two other bureaucrats also were convicted in Coalgate cases. The CBI vs CBI case also had its imprint on the courts as the agency arrested one of its own Deputy Superintendents of Police and an alleged middleman. While DySP Devender Kumar was released after the CBI preferred not to oppose his bail, alleged Dubai-based middleman Manoj Prasad secured relief after the agency failed to file its charge sheet within the stipulated time. A trial court also framed molestation charges against former TERI chief R K Pachauri in a case of alleged sexual harassment. The year witnessed anti-terror agencies tightening the noose against terror funding in Jammu and Kashmir with NIA filing charge sheet against separatists and naming Hafiz Saeed, the head of banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, for allegedly conspiring to wage a war against the country. The NIA also arrested and charged Syed Shahid Yusuf, son Salahuddin, with indulging in unlawful activities and raising funds for terror operations in a separate case of 2011.

Cases of high and mighty, VVIP chopper scam kept trial courts busy in 2018

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said Union minister Nitin Gadkari has showered more love on the Delhi government than maybe on his own party, and hoped the AAP dispensation would have the same working relations with the Centre that it shared with the BJP leader.&nbsp;

Speaking at an event where nine projects were launched for the cleaning of Yamuna river, Kejriwal said it was “an important step for the federal structure of the country”.

A few years back Gadkari had slapped a defamation case against Kejriwal who this year apologised to him.&nbsp;

The AAP government in Delhi and the Centre have perennially been at loggerheads over a range of issues and have had acrimonious exchanges in the past.

“Nitin Gadkari ji has never made us feel that he belongs to a rival party. I don’t know about others, but the way he has showered love on us, I don’t think the BJP people have got that much love,” Kejriwal said.

Besides Gadkari, who is the water resources minister, the event was attended by environment minister and BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for Water Resources Satyapal Singh and Kejriwal’s deputy Manish Sisodia. BJP MPs from Delhi Udit Raj, Parvesh Verma, Ramesh Bidhuri and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly Vijender Gupta were also present on the occasion.

Kejriwal said politics should only be restricted to polls and once a party emerges victorious, the focus of the state government and the Centre should on work. He said to combat air pollution, it was important to take steps jointly by his government and the Centre.

“The spirit in which we have gathered here together, the spirit in which we have worked with Gadkari sahab, I hope we get to work with the Centre in the same spirit. “The Delhi government wants to work with other departments of the Centre and I hope we will get the opportunity to work with the same positive spirit,” the chief minister said.

On the cleaning of Yamuna, he said the river was he city’s lifeline and just a 22 km stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla adds to maximum pollution to the water body. The nine projects for which foundation was laid today include eight sewerage infrastructure projects under Yamuna Action Plan-III The sewerage projects are being taken up in four packages of Kondli (K1, K2, K3, K4), three packages of Rithala (R1a, R1b, R2) and Okhla zone (O).

Of these, seven of the projects are in various states of implementation and the project at Okhla zone is under tendering process. In addition, foundation was also laid for one project of nine decentralised STPs (total 2.25 crore litres per day) and water bodies rejuvenation at Chattarpur at a cost of Rs 65.24 crore. These projects are being implemented by the Delhi Jal Board in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Assistance (JICA).

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said Union minister Nitin Gadkari has showered more love on the Delhi government than maybe on his own party, and hoped the AAP dispensation would have the same working relations with the Centre that it shared with the BJP leader.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Thursday said Union minister Nitin Gadkari has showered more love on the Delhi government than maybe on his own party, and hoped the AAP dispensation would have the same working relations with the Centre that it shared with the BJP leader. Speaking at an event where nine projects were launched for the cleaning of Yamuna river, Kejriwal said it was “an important step for the federal structure of the country”. A few years back Gadkari had slapped a defamation case against Kejriwal who this year apologised to him. The AAP government in Delhi and the Centre have perennially been at loggerheads over a range of issues and have had acrimonious exchanges in the past. “Nitin Gadkari ji has never made us feel that he belongs to a rival party. I don’t know about others, but the way he has showered love on us, I don’t think the BJP people have got that much love,” Kejriwal said. Besides Gadkari, who is the water resources minister, the event was attended by environment minister and BJP MP from Chandni Chowk Harsh Vardhan, Minister of State for Water Resources Satyapal Singh and Kejriwal’s deputy Manish Sisodia. BJP MPs from Delhi Udit Raj, Parvesh Verma, Ramesh Bidhuri and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Legislative Assembly Vijender Gupta were also present on the occasion. Kejriwal said politics should only be restricted to polls and once a party emerges victorious, the focus of the state government and the Centre should on work. He said to combat air pollution, it was important to take steps jointly by his government and the Centre. “The spirit in which we have gathered here together, the spirit in which we have worked with Gadkari sahab, I hope we get to work with the Centre in the same spirit. “The Delhi government wants to work with other departments of the Centre and I hope we will get the opportunity to work with the same positive spirit,” the chief minister said. On the cleaning of Yamuna, he said the river was he city’s lifeline and just a 22 km stretch between Wazirabad and Okhla adds to maximum pollution to the water body. The nine projects for which foundation was laid today include eight sewerage infrastructure projects under Yamuna Action Plan-III The sewerage projects are being taken up in four packages of Kondli (K1, K2, K3, K4), three packages of Rithala (R1a, R1b, R2) and Okhla zone (O). Of these, seven of the projects are in various states of implementation and the project at Okhla zone is under tendering process. In addition, foundation was also laid for one project of nine decentralised STPs (total 2.25 crore litres per day) and water bodies rejuvenation at Chattarpur at a cost of Rs 65.24 crore. These projects are being implemented by the Delhi Jal Board in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Assistance (JICA).

Nitin Gadkari never made us feel that he belongs to a rival party, says Arvind Kejriwal

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