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
