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The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday appeared to have given up efforts to form a government in the national capital again with its chief Arvind Kejriwal saying chances of coming to power are ‘negligible’ and apologised for quitting as Delhi chief minister within 49 days.
Kejriwal, whose party received a severe jolt in the parliamentary elections, particularly in Delhi where six months back AAP had a dream debut in the assembly polls, termed as a ‘biggest mistake’ the decision to resign without consulting the public. He said AAP was preparing for fresh polls.
“Today I would like to apologise to the people of Delhi and the country for resigning mid-way. We made a mistake and we apologise for that. When we quit the government, we quit on the basis of morality. We didn’t want to compromise on our principles. But we didn’t know it will be misrepresented. I apologise for that,” Kejriwal said addressing a press conference.
The AAP leader said though the party was contemplating a ‘referendum’ in the city to know people’s views on whether the party should form the government again, it has dropped the idea as chances of coming to power are ‘negligible’ in the current situation.
“We have found that the chances of forming the government in Delhi in the current scenario are negligible. So in such a condition there is no point having a referendum,” he said.
Delhi Congress chief spokesperson Mukesh Sharma said Congress would not support AAP at “any cost” to form the government again.
In sort of an U-turn, Kejriwal had on Wednesday asked Lieutenant Governor Najeeb not to dissolve the assembly anytime soon, saying it will hold public meetings across the city to know whether the party should form the government again.
While quitting, the AAP government on February 14 had recommended immediate dissolution of the assembly to pave way for fresh elections. However, the Lt Governor did not dissolve the assembly and kept it under suspended animation following which AAP had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court against Jung’s decision.
The AAP leader said the party was preparing for fresh elections as Congress has refused to support his party to form a government. “We had a meeting of party leaders and we have decided to gear up for the elections. We will go to the people, will hold various meetings in Delhi in the coming days. We will apologise to the people and gain there trust and ask them to support us with complete majority,” said Kejriwal.
Exuding confidence of returning to power, he said AAP would form a government that will run for five years. “We will give the first corruption free and pro-development government in Delhi.”