Delhi CM Kejriwal says full statehood will be part of AAP's poll manifesto

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday that full statehood for Delhi will be a part of his party's manifesto for upcoming Assembly election. He ded that  AAP and party will keep fighting for it. Full statehood for Delhi was main poll plank of AAP in Lok Sabha elections last year. However, it failed to impress people of Delhi and AAP candidates lost on all seven seats in city.

dressing fifth Town Hall meeting, Kejriwal said full statehood is only promise party was t able to fulfil. "Full statehood for Delhi will be part of AAP's election manifesto and party will keep fighting for it," he asserted. AAP is expected to release its manifesto between January 15 to 20, Kejriwal h said earlier.

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Even as Arvind Kejriwal's party has been insisting on full statehood status for national capital, demand is t new. 

re has been a long drawn tussle between AAP and  lieutenant goverr (L-G), keeping issue of full statehood in talks during five years of Arvind Kejriwal government. party, after winning 2015 election, released a draft bill on full statehood — State of Delhi Bill, 2016, sought to bring land, police, civic bodies and bureaucracy under jurisdiction of elected government. “ Goverr will act on aid and vise of Council of Ministers, as provided in Article 163 of Constitution,” stated Bill.

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BJP demanded same 

As early as in 2013,  BJP reiterated promise of full statehood. BJP leer Vijay Goel t only endorsed demand in   national executive meet of his party in Goa in 2013, but Delhi's CM candidate Harsh Vardhan in 2013 polls promised same. Moreover, BJP’s Delhi-specific manifesto for 2014 general elections mentioned about full statehood. However, party did t mention it in 2015 state polls. ditionally, BJP also tabled a bill called  State of Delhi Bill, 2003, in Lok Sabha when it was in power.

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Congress' stance on statehood

Despite being in power for longest of times, Congress did t endorse statehood demand officially. Late Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit h towards end of her tenure said that Delhi would have witnessed better development, h it been a full state. It was n that party in its 2015 manifesto, included demand for statehood. “Delhi will become a full-fledged state; its residents will have cheap electricity and better security. Full statehood is essential for effective governance without any shackles,” party said.

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