Independent legislator to withdraw support to AAP government

New Delhi : Independent legislator Rambeer Shokeen Monday said he would withdraw support to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi as water and power issues have not been addressed by it.

“(Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal promised that our demands will be fulfilled. Till now, nothing has happened so I am going to withdraw my support,” said Shokeen.

Janata Dal-United legislator Shoaib Iqbal, Shokeen and expelled AAP legislator Vinod Kumar Binny Feb 2 told Kejriwal to meet their demands, among others, for slashing power and water tariff and enhancing women’s security, else they would withdraw support to his government.

Iqbal and Shokeen met Kejriwal Feb 3 and claimed that the chief minister had assured them of action on their demands.

“It’s been long and he (Kejriwal) is not even responding to my calls,” Shokeen said.

The AAP won 28 seats in the 70-member house in the December 2013 Delhi assembly elections and formed the government with the outside support of the Congress, which won eight seats.

The BJP won 31 seats and the Akali Dal and Janata Dal-United one each, while an Independent candidate was also elected.

Of the AAP’s 28 lawmakers, one was elected speaker while Binny was expelled for anti-party activities, bringing the party’s effective strength down to 26.