Delhi Congress leader wants referendum on support to AAP

While major political parties continue to criticise the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who yesterday ended a 33-hour dramatic street protest demanding action against five policemen, a well known Congress leader on Wednesday called for a referendum on his party`s support to the latter`s three-week old government.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: While major political parties continue to criticise the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its 33-hour long dramatic street protest demanding action against five policemen, a well known Congress leader on Wednesday called for a referendum on his party`s support to the Arvind Kejriwal government in Delhi. Speaking to reporters, Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma said, “We will be going to the people for a referendum. If people ask us to withdraw support from AAP government, then we will do so.” Sharma also demanded the AAP central leadership to immediately sack their leader and state`s Law Minister Somnath Bharti in connection with his illegal midnight raid. Meanwhile, another Congress leader Sachin Pilot today said that the AAP leaders must act more responsibly. “We politicians must lead by example”, Pilot said. The reactions from Congress party came on a day when Delhi Police registered an FIR against `unknown persons` in connection with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal`s dharna outside Rail Bhavan that witnessed many violent scuffles in the high-security area where prohibitory orders were in place. The case was registered at Parliament Street Police Station last night under Section 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of duty) and Section 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from duty) of IPC. The two-day dharna by Kejriwal witnessed several altercations between police and AAP workers and at least 31 people, including policemen and media personnel, were injured. "The cases registered in connection with the agitation on January 20th and 21st in the area of Parliament Street Police Station will be investigated on merit," a statement released by Delhi Police said. Kejriwal`s dharna in the heart of the capital came to an abrupt end last night after two police officers were sent on leave under a neat compromise with the Centre over his demand for suspension of five officials for alleged dereliction of duty. The over 33-hour protest outside Rail Bhavan in the Raisina Hill area that virtually morphed into a demand for control over Delhi Police and threatened to disrupt the Republic Day celebrations on Sunday ended following an assurance from the Lt Governor Najeeb Jung. Kejriwal announced that he was calling off the protest following the "victory" achieved by the people of Delhi. Under the compromise, the SHO of Malviya Nagar, who refused to raid an alleged drug and prostitution ring on the orders of Law Minister Somnath Bharti, and PCR van in-charge of Paharganj, where a Danish woman was gang-raped last week, were sent on leave, paving the way for an end to the confrontation with the Centre. Kejriwal launched the agitation demanding action against five policemen who did not heed his ministers in what critics say were vigilante-style action. The AAP, however, rejected all such accusations. With Agency inputs