President`s rule to be imposed in Delhi – As it happened

The Union Cabinet today recommended President`s rule in the national capital saying, “ Delhi Assembly will remain in suspended animation.”

Zee Media Bureau/Biplob Ghosal/Sushmita Dutta 10:30 pm: Arvind Kejriwal accepts Somnath Bharti should have mind his language Speaking to an English news channel, Kejriwal said, “AAP`s parliamentary affairs Committee had a consultation on the Somnath Bharti issue. We warned him not to use unconstitutional language in the future.” “We were not confronting the police, we were struggling against them,” he added on Somnath Bharti`s midnight raid at Khirki Extension. On his resignation from the CM`s post, the AAP chief said, “Quiting the CM`s post is not a gamble.” “Delhi government has lots of money, people just need to be honest,” he added. 9:00 pm: Subramanian Swamy terms AAP as `naxalites` BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said AAP is a "naxalite party" with no specific manifesto. "AAP is totally a naxalite party, it has no specific manifesto except for water, power, and other services," Swamy told reporters. "How AAP is naxalite, I tell you. Arvind Kejariwal has written a book titled `swaraj` and it deals with naxalites` issues. Kejriwal wants that every `mohalla` (colony) should have a sabha and government administration runs under it... this is against the law," Swamy added. 8:30 pm: AAP MLAs discuss political situation With the party gearing for Lok Sabha and possibly Delhi assembly elections, a meeting of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs was held today to take the stock of the political situation. The meeting was held at the party`s Kaushmabi office in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. "The MLAs were called for a regular meeting and were asked to start working for elections in case assmebly and Lok Sabha elections are held together," said a AAP leader. 8:15 pm: Arvind Kejriwal slams Najeeb Jung for not dissolving Delhi Assembly Lashing out at Lt Guv Najeeb Jung for not recommending dissolution of the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal said that Jung was openly flouting the decisions taken by a majority government. "I am questioning the logic of his decision (of not recommending dissolution of the House)," Kejriwal said, adding that the constitution says that he is bound by the decision taken by the Cabinet of a majority government. 8:00 pm: Cabinet approves President`s rule in Delhi The Union Cabinet recommended President`s rule in the national capital saying, “Assembly will remain in suspended animation.” As per news report, elections can be now held within the six months in Delhi. However, the Cabinet decision will come into effect after promulgation of a notification by President Pranab Mukherjee, which has to be then endorsed by Parliament through a resolution under Article 356 of the Constitution. 7:10 pm: Cabinet meet begins Cabinet meet begins at PM`s residence to discuss future course of action for Delhi Assembly. 7:00 pm: BJP ready to face polls BJP was today non-committal about forming the government in Delhi following Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal`s decision to step down with the main Opposition saying that while it did not favour dissolution of the House, it was ready to face fresh polls. "There is no over-enthusiasm about forming the government ... Right now, the ball is in the Lieutenant Governor`s court. Let him decide... We will happily accept any situation that (unfolds)," BJP Legislative Party leader, Harshvardhan said. 6:50: Kejriwal has left Delhi in total confusion, says TMC Accusing Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down as Delhi chief minister Friday, of leaving the state in "total confusion", the Trinamool Congress said he was not even ready to abide by the country`s laws and the constitution. "Arvind was not prepared to adhere to the constitution and the laws of the land. He himself said he is an anarchist," said party MP Sougata Roy. 6: 45: AAP`s move to introduce Jan Lokpal Bill erroneous, says CPI(M) CPI(M) termed AAP government`s move to introduce Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi Assembly as "erroneous and inexpedient" and said this had provided BJP and Congress the opportunity to gang up against them, leading to the resignation of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Observing that the AAP government was "committed" to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill which would have been "an important measure to fight corruption in public life in Delhi," the party Politburo said "however, the manner in which this was introduced in the Assembly was politically erroneous and inexpedient." 6:30: Kejriwal had to resign, it was not a matter of choice, says Sheila Dikshit Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said Arvind Kejriwal had no option but to resign after losing majority on the floor of the Assembly and it was not a matter of choice for the Aam Aadmi Party leader who believes in "talking action" and not action. "His (Kejriwal) government lost majority on the floor of the House, it is not a matter (of choice), so he quit," the 75-year-old Congress leader told PTI in an interview. 6:00 pm: Jan Lokpal Bill was never sent to me, says Soli Sorabjee Former Atorney General and eminent lawyer Soli Sorabjee said, “The bill(Janlokpal) was never sent to me, I have not read it. So I have not opined one way or the other.” 5:45: Arvind Kejriwal ran away from battlefield: Shiv Sena Slamming AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for resigning as the Delhi Chief Minister, Shiv Sena called him a "deserter" who ran away from the battlefield. "Kejriwal ran away from the battlefield....He is a deserter. It is the betrayal of the people," Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, talking to reporters here. He said it is upto the people to decide who they want to choose now. "BJP should now strive to form the government in Delhi. Holding the elections again and again is not good for the country," he added. 5:21 pm: AAP to launch campaign for LS polls from Haryana A day after Arvind Kejriwal`s resignation as Delhi Chief Minister, AAP today announced that it will launch its campaign for Lok Sabha polls from February 23 with a rally at Rohtak in Haryana. AAP also launched a nationwide anti-corruption drive today and will hold a string of rallies under the leadership of Kejriwal, party leaders said. Speaking to reporters after the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting, party leader Yogendra Yadav said, the the rally will be addressed by party`s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. 5:05 pm: BJP, Congress wanted to topple AAP government, says Arvind Kejriwal In his maiden interview to an English news channel after quitting as Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Congress and BJP both saying, “To save Mikesh Ambani, Congress and BJP wanted to topple AAP government.” “BJP, Congress had agreed to pass Jan Lokpal Bill, things changed after FIR against Mukesh Ambani,” Kejriwal said. He further said, “Both Congress and BJP lost their sleep after FIR against Mukesh Ambani.” When asked about his official residence, Kejriwal added, “We will stay in this house till daughter`s exams are over.” 5:00 pm: Union Cabinet likely to meet today over Lt Guv`s report Union Cabinet is likely to meet at 7 PM today, possibly to discuss Delhi Lieutenant Governor`s report, a PTI report said. 4:20 pm: Lt Guv rejects recommendation for dissolution of Assembly lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung is on Saturday understood to have suggested imposition of President`s rule by keeping the legislature under suspended animation. In a report to the Centre, Jung did not favour dissolution of the 70-member Delhi assembly as recommended by the council of ministers headed by Arvind Kejriwal when it met last night and decided to quit. 4:00 pm: AAP failed as it went beyond Constitution: Sheila Dikshit Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday said the AAP government failed because it started to go "beyond the constitution". "Though AAP tried to tackle Delhi`s problem, but I don`t think they succeeded because they started going beyond the constitution... and that is when they really failed," said Ms Dikshit. 3:25 pm: Kejriwal is a specialist in telling lies: Harsh Vardhan BJP leader Harsh Vardhan accused outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of playing to Congress` script. Addressing a press conference, the BJP leader said that the resignation episode was a strategy and a conspiracy hatched with Congress` consent. Harsh Vardhan accused the AAP of getting funds from foreign organisations. He said first time the country saw a chief minister who calls himself an anarchist. He accused Kejriwal of being a specialist in telling lies. 3:05 pm: Worst ever government Delhi witnessed, says Jaitley Senior BJP leader Arun Jatley today wrote a blog and heavily criticised AAP. Jailtley writes, “The nightmare is finally over. The worst ever State Government that Delhi has ever witnessed has resigned. The AAP party Government decided to submit its resignation to the Lt Governor. The past 49 days witnessed an unconventional Government. It was a Government without an agenda and without an ideology. It was a Government committed to populism and demagogue.” Also Read: Thank God, nightmare is over: Arun Jaitley on AAP govt`s exit 2:50 pm: Bedi hits out at AAP over Jan Lokpal Bill Former Kejriwal`s teammate Kiran Bedi said that the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill passed by Parliament is effective so the Jan Lokpal Bill is insignificant and AAP is just making it an issue. Hitting out at the outgoing Kejriwal government, Bedi said that AAP was elected for governance, but it was only involved in disruptions and dharnas. Lalu 2:30 pm: Kejriwal running away from responsibility, says Lalu Blaming Kejriwal for running away from responsibility, RJD chief Lalu Prasad today said he had resigned as chief minister of Delhi as he could not meet the tall promises made to the people. "Kejriwal knows he cannot fulfill the tall promises made by him so running away from responsibility," the RJD chief tweeted. 2:15 pm: Lt Guv forwards Kejriwal`s resignation to President Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today forwarded Arvind Kejriwal`s resignation to President Pranab Mukherjee for final decision on whether to bring the national capital under a spell of central rule or dissolve the House for holding elections along with Lok Sabha polls as recommended by the outgoing Cabinet. 2:00 pm: Cong, BJP have backstabbed Delhiites: AAP Addressing a press conference AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that Arvind Kejriwal resigned as he thinks that if he cannot fulfill the pre poll promise of passing the Jan Lokpal Bill made to the people, his government should not continue. Singh said both BJP and Congress are in connivance and are not serious in tackling the corruption menace. Both the national parties came together as Kejriwal last week took a decisive decision to start a probe against industrialist Mukesh Ambani, the AAP leader asserted. He said AAP will expose both Congress and BJP in the country and his party will be holding two rallies in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on February 23 and March 02 respectively. Another AAP leader Yogendra Yadav said that Kejriwal will launch the national campaign with these two rallies. When asked whether Kejriwal would contest the General Elections, Yadav replied, the party will deliberate on this matter. However, Yadav said party will fight national elections and Delhi polls under Kejriwal`s leadership. Also Read: AAP to contest LS polls under Kejriwal`s leadership: Yogendra Yadav 1:45 pm: Kejrial urges people to come together A day after he tendered his resignation, Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people to come forward and fight against corruption. The AAP chief tweeted:

Friends. This is decisive battle against corruption. All right thinking and patriotic people shud come together

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 15, 2014

Now since congress willbrule delhi thro LG, wud FIR against Mukesh Ambani be diluted?

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 15, 2014

1:35 pm: AAP has been exposed: Gadkari Lashing out at Arvind Kejriwal and his party, BJP leader Nitin Gadkari exhorted that hollowness of AAP and its chief has been exposed. 1:10 pm: Will expose AAP`s inability to deliver on promises: Vijay Goel BJP leader Vijay Goel said that AAP government in Delhi itself wanted to quit as it failed to fulfil its pre-poll promises. Goel said that the BJP will hold a dharna on Jantar Mantar to protest against the Aam Aadmi Party. "We will protest at Jantar Mantar on February 18 and will expose AAP`s inability to deliver on promises made during its election campaign," Goel said 12:42 pm: Nitish reacts to AAP Cabinet`s resignation Reacting to the developments in Delhi, Bihar Chief Nitish Kumar said that it was bound to happen. 12:30 pm: AAP`s focus on LS polls: Binny Former AAP leader Vinod Kumar Binny today criticised Kejriwal and said that it was not possible for the AAP chief to fulfill the poll promises and that is why he resigned. Binny further accused Kejriwal of eyeing Lok Sabha elections. Binny who had earlier termed Kejriwal as `Hitler` said that some of the AAP leaders are feeling a sense of insecurity within the party and they should come forward and speak up. 12:05 pm: AAP leader attacks BJP, Cong Giving details about party meet, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that the leaders are meeting to deliberate the strategies for upcoming Lok Sabha elections and Delhi polls. He said that BJP and Congress are in hand-in-gloves and do not want to eradicate corruption. AAP members will travel across the country and expose the two national parties. 11:40 am: Delhi BJP`s meet begins A day after Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Cabinet resigned, BJP`s Delhi unit met today to deliberate on future course of action. 11:30 am: `Will fight LS polls under Kejriwal`s leadership` As Congress and the BJP are alleging that the AAP government in Delhi resigned as it has national ambitions, party leader Yogendra Yadav today said that his party will fight the upcoming General Elections under Kejriwal`s leadership. 11:15 am: Bhushan says Assembly should be dissolved AAP leader Prashant Bhushan today reiterated Kejriwal`s stand that the Delhi Assembly should be dissolved and fresh elections be held. He alleged that BJP and Congress didn`t allowed the AAP government to function and remove corruption. 11:05 am: AAP leaders meet A day after the AAP Cabinet resigned, the party leaders today held a meet to deliberate on future course of action. The party leaders began arriving at Kejriwal`s Tilak lane home in Delhi by 11 am. 11:00 am: Will recommend my name for CM`s post: Shokeen Independent MLA Rambir Shokeen, who had initially supported the AAP government said that he would meet BJP and Congress leaders and then the LT Governor. Shokeen said he would propose his name for the post of chief minister as he thinks he can do better than Kejriwal. Also Read: Kejriwal`s resignation, Jan Lokpal`s fate unfortunate: Hazare 10:55 am: Dikshit accuses AAP of running away Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit accused AAP of staging a political drama instead of doing constructive work in Delhi. The Congress leader accused Kejriwal of running away from responsibilities. 10:45 am: Dr Harsh vardhan takes on Kejriwal BJP leader Dr Harsh Vardhan criticised Kejriwal for resigning and said that the AAP leader is eyeing Lok Sabha polls. He alleges that the people of Delhi have undertsood Kejriwal`s politics. 10:20 am: BJP leader hits out at Kejriwal Hitting out at Arvind Kejriwal, BJP leader RS Prasad said that the allegations levelled by the AAP leader against Narendra Modi are baseless. He said that people of India are behind Modi and not Mukesh Ambani. His reactions comes a day after Kejriwal made a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of playing into the hands of the RIL chairman. 10:05 am: Will try to do whatever I can: Kejriwal According to a news channel, Kejriwal today morning told his supporters gathered outside his residence that he is not the Delhi chief minister any more, but will try to do whatever he could. 10:00 am: Ready for polls, says BJP MLA Reacting to Kejriwal`s demand of re-elections in Delhi, BJP MLA RP Singh today said that the party is ready for fresh polls. 9:35 am: Delhi BJP to meet at 11 am A day after Arvind Kejriwal and AAP Cabinet resigned, BJP`s Delhi unit will meet at 11:00 am today to decide on future course of action. 8:00 am: Lt Governor to submit report Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is expected to submit his report to the Centre on Saturday on the follow up action in the wake of resignation of the Aam Aadmi Party government here led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Jung is expected to forward his report to President Pranab Mukherjee through the Union Home Ministry for final decision on whether to bring the national capital under a spell of central rule or dissolve the House for holding elections along with Lok Sabha polls as recommended by the outgoing Cabinet. The Lt Governor will send a "factual report" along with resignation of the Government and the Cabinet`s recommendation. 7:00 am: MHA to send Kejriwal`s resignation letter to President The Union Home Ministry is expected to forward the resignation letter of Kejriwal for acceptance to the President Pranab Mukherjee today when it will receive it from the city Lieutenant Governor. Sources said that LG Najeeb Jung is likely to send Kejriwal`s resignation letter to the Home Ministry for further action. Kejriwal, AAP Cabinet quit Forty-nine days after he took charge of a minority Delhi government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his entire Cabinet resigned on Friday following a tumultuous day in the Assembly where combined Congress and BJP MLAs "defeated" his attempts to introduce Jan Lokpal Bill aimed at curbing corruption in high places. After resigning from his post, Kejriwal made a scathing attack on the Congress and the BJP, accusing them of playing into the hands of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, against whom his Aam Aadmi Party government had filed a criminal case two days ago over a gas pricing row. After resigning Kejriwal recommended dissolution of the assembly and holding of fresh polls. Straight from the cabinet meeting, 45-year-old Kejriwal, who came to power riding the crest of an anti-graft movement and was called an anarchist for his street protest as CM, drove to the AAP headquarters in Central Delhi, three kilometres away from the Secretariat and addressed his supporters in pouring rain when he announced his resignation.