AAP govt snubs LG again, to go ahead with public assembly

The Aam Aadmi Party government on Wednesday turned down Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's request to reconsider decision to hold a special session of Delhi assembly for passage of Jan Lokpal Bill at a stadium, saying it would go ahead with its plans to hold the exercise at a public venue.

"The lieutenant governor has requested the government to reconsider the decision. The matter was raised once again in the cabinet. After discussion it was decided that the government would go ahead with its earlier decision and once again request the LG to assist it in holding the session in an open space," Education and Public Works Department Minister Manish Sisodia told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Earlier, Jung had asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to review the decision as the Delhi police had expressed reservation over it citing possible law and order situation.

Rejecting the Delhi police's plea, Sisodia said, "Surprisingly, the Delhi police has expressed its inability to provide security at an open place. It is the same police, which has provided security to much bigger events related to sports or religious festivals in Delhi.”

"In such a case how it is so difficult to provide security at a stadium for just four to five hours. I don't know why the police is so discouraged in providing security," he added.

To a query on where the government has finally decided to hold the special session, Sisodia said it would finalised at a later stage.

When asked whether the government can decide to hold session outside Vidhan Sabha premises, he said this decision falls under the jurisdiction of the government and the Speaker.