This Article is From Jun 24, 2016

Arvind Kejriwal Tweets 'Brexit-Style Referendum For Delhi Statehood Soon'

Arvind Kejriwal Tweets 'Brexit-Style Referendum For Delhi Statehood Soon'

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants referendum on Delhi statehood

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants a Brexit-style referendum in Delhi for full statehood.

After the results of a historic vote held on Thursday resulted in Britain choosing to leave the European Union, Mr Kejriwal tweeted: "After UK referendum, delhi will soon have a referendum on full statehood."

Mr Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have strongly pitched for such a referendum to decide on statehood, which would mean more powers for the Delhi government.

Delhi is not a full state and some important functions like policing and land are under the Centre's control.

Full statehood for Delhi was a promise that AAP had made for last year's election, which it resoundingly won. The BJP was reduced to just three seats in a 70-member house and Mr Kejriwal alleges that it is using its powers at the Centre to interfere with governance in Delhi.

The AAP government has been in constant confrontation with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who represents the Centre in Delhi.

Mr Kejriwal and Mr Jung have frequently clashed over appointments. Their latest confrontation involves the murder of an official. AAP has alleged that the Lieutenant Governor has links with the man arrested for the murder.

The BJP too had favoured full statehood for Delhi in the past, but dropped the demand from its manifesto in the state polls.
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