The Bharatiya Janata Party lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday, accusing it of displaying political arrogance, making a mockery of democratic processes and continuously changing its stand on government formation in Delhi.
BJP Delhi president Vijay Goel said the AAP was not serious about forming a government as it would not be able to fulfil the promises it had made in its manifesto. “Hence, it is scared of being exposed. There are apparent contradictions in its stand. While AAP leaders are criticising the other parties, it is writing letters to them about support in forming a government.”
Blaming the AAP for turning the process of government formation into a political drama, Mr. Goel said: “It should not be used for petty political gains. All of us have witnessed how, despite an offer of unconditional support from the Congress, the AAP has been deliberately taking time to make its stand clear.”
“This is a clear case of doublespeak. I would like the AAP to make its stand clear for once and all: whether it is forming a government or not. It has no right to humiliate the Delhi residents with such a brazen show of political arrogance that makes a mockery of democratic processes,” he said.
‘First choice’
Mr. Goel said that as the BJP fell short of majority and had no support from any other party, without creating any hype, it told the Lieutenant-Governor that it would sit in the opposition. “The BJP is the single largest party, the first choice of the people in Delhi, and yet it has shown humility in accepting the verdict of the voters. But the AAP, unfortunately, has failed to respect the aspirations of the common man. It has frequently changed its stand in the past few days,” said Mr. Goel.
Mr. Goel claimed a senior AAP leader said the party would support the BJP with a common minimum programme, but changed his stand within the next few hours. “Then the senior party leaders said they will not form a government. On December 13, their leaders said all options were open. The same day, the AAP said they would not form a government, and on December 14, after meeting the Lieutenant-Governor, [AAP convener] Arvind Kejriwal opened the windows for negotiations with the Congress. The rapidly changing stand is a clear indication that AAP leaders are running away from honouring their commitment and promises made to the people of Delhi.”
