Kejriwal govt wins trust vote with backing of 54 AAP MLAs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 17

The Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Saturday won a trust vote in the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel declared that the trust motion presented by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had been successfully passed by the government after a voice vote.

Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the AAP, won the confidence motion with the support of 54 MLAs and said no legislator of his party defected.

Out of 62 AAP MLAs in the Delhi Assembly, 54 were present in the House during the trust vote, two were in jail, two others were unwell, three were out of station and one was not present due to a wedding in his family, Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal had moved the motion of confidence in the Assembly on Friday and accused the BJP of trying to poach his party’s MLAs.

The AAP also alleged that the BJP was spreading a “rumour” that the Delhi Assembly will be dissolved after the Lok Sabha polls and the city will be governed as a Union Territory.

“This country is not anyone’s property. They cannot dissolve the Assembly just like that. I challenge the BJP to contest elections on this issue. The BJP should clarify whether they will dissolve the Assembly after Lok Sabha polls,” he said, asking the AAP MLAs to tell people that if they voted for the BJP, it would snatch their right to vote.

Kejriwal also accused the BJP of obstructing the works of his government by controlling the services and the bureaucracy.

“They claim to be Ram bhakt but they stopped medicines for the poor people in our hospitals. Lord Ram never said stop medicines for the poor people” the CM said, referring to the charge of substandard medicine being supplied to hospitals.

Kejriwal said he has faced attacks in the past, been slapped, got ink thrown on him and now the BJP wanted him to be arrested.

He criticised the BJP for alleged rigging in the Chandigarh Mayoral elections, in which the AAP and Congress lost as alliance partners. He highlighted the achievements of the AAP government, including providing 24-hour and free electricity in Delhi and Punjab. Kejriwal also challenged the BJP to showcase similar achievements in states where they hold power. He praised his government’s work in the education sector.

“We have established excellent hospitals in Delhi and provided free treatment to everyone. Mohalla clinics have been set up, ensuring healthcare access on every street,” he added.

Kejriwal pointed out the control the Centre has over the service department of the Delhi Government, emphasising that they dictate officer transfers, postings and disciplinary actions, including against officers accused of corruption.

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