Sun Sep 15 10:52:19 UTC 2024: ## Kejriwal Announces Resignation, Demands Early Delhi Elections
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced his resignation from office, stating he will only return to the CM’s chair after receiving a “certificate of honesty” from the people. He has also called for early elections in Delhi, to be held in November alongside Maharashtra.
Kejriwal, who was recently released on bail in an excise policy corruption case, claims the BJP is attempting to portray him as corrupt to distract from their own failures. He cited instances of other non-BJP Chief Ministers facing similar situations and urged them not to resign if arrested, arguing that democracy and the Constitution should be upheld. He justified his own decision not to resign after his arrest, emphasizing his respect for democracy and constitutional principles.
The AAP National Convener expressed his willingness to undergo an “agnipariksha” (trial by fire) after his recent experience in jail, stating that he and his deputy, Manish Sisodia, will only return to their respective positions if people deem them honest.
Kejriwal’s announcement has sent shockwaves through Delhi’s political landscape, with the BJP dismissing it as a “drama” aimed at garnering sympathy. BJP leader Shazia Ilmi criticized Kejriwal’s timing, arguing that he should have resigned earlier and that the people of Delhi are now fully aware of his “reality”.
The resignation and demand for early elections add a new layer of complexity to Delhi’s political scene, leaving the fate of the capital’s governance in the hands of the people and the upcoming elections.
First Piper 