Manish Sisodia pens open letter to Delhiites, says BJP imposing elections

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister called the entire episode “dirty politics”

NEW DELHI: Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday penned an open letter to the citizens of Delhi, narrating how the disqualified party MLAs have been a victim of the witch-hunt by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre.

The letter, written in Hindi, was posted on Twitter by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader. 

Following the disqualification 20 AAP legislators over holding office of profit on Sunday, Delhi is likely to face by-polls soon. 

Sisodia claims that the BJP, “who are witnessing a sharp downfall in (popularity) graph” is trying to “impose” by-polls on the citizens of Delhi. 

Calling the entire episode as “dirty politics”, Sisodia asks “Is it fair to disqualified elected-representatives in an unconstitutional and illegal manner? Is it right to force elections on Delhi?”

Questioning the allegations levied on disqualified MLAs, some of whom were given individual portfolios and duties, Sisodia says many were spending from their own pockets to complete the assigned work and did not receive any perks.

दिल्ली की जनता के लिए मेरा एक पत्र

क्या चुने हुए विधायकों को इस तरह गैर-संवैधानिक और गैर-कानूनी तरीके से बर्खास्त करना सही है?

क्या दिल्ली को इस तरह चुनावों में धकेलना ठीक है?

क्या ये गंदी राजनीति नहीं है? pic.twitter.com/9QzU52bTay — Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) January 22, 2018

Sisodia claimed by disqualifying the 20 lawmakers, BJP is trying to impose midterm elections in the state, which will lead to the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect. As a result, all the work undertaken by AAP-led Delhi government will come to a halt and soon, it'll be time for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

Narrating the achievements of AAP in Delhi, Sisodia pointed out how the electricity rates are lowest in Delhi and water is free. He also alluded to the changes made in the education sector.

In a huge jolt to the AAP, the Election Commision of India recommended the disqualification of 20 MLAs of the party for allegedly holding offices of profit as Parliamentary Secretaries. President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday accepted the EC's recommendation to disqualify 20 MLAs.