Expelled AAP MP Vinod Kumar Binny calls off hunger strike, gives Arvind Kejriwal 10 days to act

Expelled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Vinod Kumar Binny called off his hunger strike on Monday giving `more time` to the Kejriwal government in Delhi.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Barely hours after sitting on a hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar, expelled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Vinod Kumar Binny called off the protest on Monday giving `more time` to Kejriwal government in Delhi to fulfill its promises. A deadline of 10 days was given by the rebel AAP MLA to the Kejriwal government reportedly on the suggestion of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare. Binny told PTI that Anna Hazare and Lt Guv Najeeb Jung suggested that "some days should be given to the AAP-led government so that he (Kejriwal) could work on public-related issues". Ahead of beginning his hunger strike, Binney met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung this morning and apprised him of the ongoing situation and talked about the alleged misbehaviour of Law Minister Somnath Bharti with Ugandan women during the midnight raid that took place in Khirki Extension in South Delhi recently. “Lt Governor has assured that due action will be taken against those who have violated the law, irrespective of their positions,” he told reporters. Speaking to reporters after meeting Jung, Binny said, "I think the AAP wants the government to fall, as they are scared that they would not be able to fulfill the promises they have made to people, and they are trying to run away from their responsibilities.” He also alleged that AAP has already finalised the names of its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Binny further said that he was the first one to join the party when AAP had no support and is the first one to protest when the party is deviating from its principals. "They made false promises about free water and electricity to people, and the decisions and rules they have made on water and electricity have made the people confused and have mislead them," he told reporters. "They had also said that the Jan Lokpal Bill would come into effect fifteen days from the time they come to power, but nothing is being done about it," he said. "They had also promised to form a commando force for the safety of women, but there have been so many cases of crime against women in the past few days," he added. He further said that the AAP had made allegations of corruption against former Delhi chief minister but did not do anything on that aspect as well. "They had accused many leaders of corruption, especially Sheila Dikshit, and had said that would investigate the matter, but even that never happened," said Binny. "Also they have made fun of the Delhi Commission for Women and have disrespected the organization. I will make sure they are not able to run away from their responsibilities and the promises they had made to the people," he said. Another rebel AAP leader Tina Sharma also expressed her full support to Binny, saying, “There is no democracy in the party. They have different yardsticks for different people. They have cheated the people of Delhi and we want the people to realise it.” The rebel AAP leader had been criticising his party and the Delhi government for failing to fulfill the promises made in the election manifesto on various issues, including regular water supply and cheap electricity. Binny also claimed to have gained support of 3-4 AAP MLAs, who are backing his agitation against the Delhi government. However, the AAP leadership has been claiming that Binny has rebelled from the party after he was denied a ministerial berth in the Delhi Cabinet.