On Friday, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal placed a motion of confidence in the assembly. However, the discussion on the motion is scheduled for February 16 (Saturday), and the House has been adjourned until then.
Why Kejriwal move the motion in assembly?
In the recent accusations, Kejriwal alleged that the BJP attempted to lure AAP MLAs with money and positions to destabilize the government. Through the motion, Kejriwal aims to publicly demonstrate the internal unity of AAP MLAs and seeks a formal vote of confidence to project an image of a stable and strong govt enjoying the full support of the legislature.
Moreover, this will send a message to the opposition that any further attempt to destabilize the govt will be exposed publicly, which seems to be a strategic move by Kejriwal to garner sympathy and project himself as a victim of the BJP.
Blaming the BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are two of the largest political parties in India, where one is the current ruling party at the national level, while the other one is the ruling party at the state level with a long-standing rivalry between both of them.
Besides, the AAP claimed that the BJP has been trying to poach AAP MLAs by offering money and other inducements, misusing the power to delay or block important projects initiated by the AAP government. Also, stated about the BJP for using police and other law enforcement agencies to which the BJP members and leaders reacted and counter-attacked the AAP on the motion.
BJP on Kejriwal’s motion
The Union Minister Anurag Thakur downplayed the motion’s significance, stating it was an internal affair of AAP, and further accused Kejriwal of being ‘obsessed’ with the BJP and using their name for political gains. Besides this, the BJP demanded proof and said these stemmed from political frustration at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.
Further, the Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta called the motion a ‘political stunt’ and accused Kejriwal of trying to divert the attention from his ‘failure’ in governance. Along with this, terming the allegations frivolous, the BJP demanded an investigation into the matter with legal action against AAP minister Atishi, Chief Minister Kejriwal and other AAP MLAs.
Current Status
The motion of confidence is moved on February 16, 2024, and the discussion will take place on February 17, 2024, which the BJP has criticized. However, the outcome of the vote will be closely watched and could have significant political implications. Also, the Delhi court has asked Kejriwal to appear before it on February 17 on a complaint filed by ED for skipping summons and questioning on the Excise policy case.
