New Delhi, Aug 11: With the Centre today clearing a bill for granting statehood to Delhi, BJP was quick to claim credit for the "historic decision" and putting the ball in Congress' court for its passage in Parliament.
Delhi BJP president Madan Lal Khurana asked Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to "prevail" upon Congress president Sonia Gandhi to "extend full support" to the bill.
"If Congress fails to support this bill in Parliament, it would tantamount to betrayal to the people of Delhi on part of Congress," Khurana said while commenting on the Union Cabinet's decision.
Noting that the Centre's move had come within 24 hours of announcement by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, he said it fulfilled BJP'S persistent demand for statehood since the days of Jan Sangh when a resolution was passed in 1965.
The development is a "milestone in establishment of democratic set-up in Delhi and fulfills aspirations of the people of Delhi to have an accountable and responsible government which will pave the way for all-round development of the capital," the former chief minister said.

"Without responsible and accountable administration in Delhi, it has become a slum and the burning problems have been multiplying," Khurana said and added "Delhi will now get accountable and responsible government in place of multiplicity of authorities."

He thanked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for the Cabinet decision.
Bureau Report