AAP may be open to forming government in Delhi, after all

Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), after having earlier categorically said that it had no intention of forming a government in Delhi with outside support, now seems to be contemplating doing so.

Kejriwal, convenor of the AAP, met Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung this morning and asked for 10 days' time to decide on forming a government in Delhi.

On the issue of either the Congress and or the Bharatiya Janata Party being willing to support an AAP government, the party has also asked them for their views on various issues raised by his party before deciding on government formation.

"We have time and again said that neither will we give nor take support from any party. However, Congress has still offered us unconditional support. We want to know the motive behind the same," said Kejriwal told a press conference after meeting the LG.

He also said that AAP would form an issue-based government in Delhi and has asked the views of both the Congress and the BJP on whether they will give their support on those issues.

Kejriwal said that the party has written a letter to United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and BJP president Rajnath Singh asking them to clarify their stand on the 18 issues that the AAP has mentioned.

These include passing of a Jan Lokpal Bill for a central anti-corruption watchdog, audit of electricity companies, education, and the safety of women.

The AAP convener said that the reply given by both the parties will be discussed with the public through a series of meetings across Delhi. "Whatever the public will decide, we will do that," Kejriwal said.

The AAP had earlier refused Congress' offer of unconditional support to form a government.

Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor has apprised home minister Sushilumar Shinde of the situation in Delhi.

On Friday, Congress had sent a letter to Lt Governor Jung offering unconditional support to an AAP government, stating the party would not like to put the burden of a fresh election on the people of the city-state.

According to official sources, all eight Congress legislators of the party were ready to back the AAP, which would give it the numbers required to form a government. The party has been invited by Jung to explore the possibility of forming a government.

Earlier, after a meeting, member of the AAP Political Affairs Committee and newly-elected MLA Manish Sisodia said that the party will stick to its stand of not forming a government.