Kejriwal doing U-turn on alliance talks: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, Apr 15: Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday accused AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal of doing an "U-turn" on the alliance talks between the two parties and said the doors of the Congress are open, but time is running out.
However, Kejriwal claimed that the talks are still on and accused Gandhi of helping the BJP by "dividing anti-Modi votes in Uttar Pradesh and in some other states"
The Congress president on Twitter said his party is willing to give four of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to ensure that the their alliance defeats the BJP.
The BJP had won all the seven seat in the national capital in 2014.
"An alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this.
"But, Mr Kejriwal has done yet another U turn. Our doors are still open, but the clock is running out," Gandhi tweeted.
He used the hashtag "AbAAPkiBaari" to target the AAP leadership to come out with its side for an alliance with the Congress.
The Congress and AAP have been in talks for an alliance in Delhi for sometime.
Hitting out at Gandhi on Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal said, "What U-turn. The talks are still on."
"Your tweet shows that an alliance is not your desire but only a pretension. I am pained that you are giving mere statements," he said.
"Today, the foremost issue is to save the country from the threat of Modi-Shah. Unfortunately, you are helping Modi by dividing anti-Modi votes in Uttar Pradesh and in some other states," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.
The Congress has accused the Kejriwal-led party of backing out from its commitment, as it is demanding seats in Goa, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh, besides Delhi for a pre-poll understanding with the Congress.
Congress leaders have said they only want a tie-up with AAP in Delhi.
The seat-sharing arrangement of four for AAP and three for Congress has been arrived at on the basis of the vote share of both parties in 2017 civic polls here, they said.
Leaders of the two parties have held several rounds of discussions for a poll tie-up but the talks have reportedly failed.
An alliance between the Congress & AAP in Delhi would mean the rout of the BJP. The Congress is willing to give up 4 Delhi seats to the AAP to ensure this.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 15, 2019
But, Mr Kejriwal has done yet another U turn!
Our doors are still open, but the clock is running out. #AbAAPkiBaari
कौन सा U-टर्न?अभी तो बातचीत चल रही थी
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2019
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Upset over insufficient replies by govt, Speaker adjourns the Assembly, walks out
Bengaluru (PTI): Upset over the insufficient number of written replies from government departments to MLAs' questions, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Monday adjourned the House and walked out, stating that he would not run the House until concerned ministers and secretaries provide an explanation.
The Speaker's move, considered "unprecedented" by many legislators, came after Home Minister G Parameshwara tabled 84 written replies against 230 'unstarred' questions submitted by MLAs.
Khader, on Friday, had admonished the government, stating that his "gentleness" should not be mistaken for "weakness," as he took strong exception to the government replying to only a few of the questions from MLAs.
Last week, Khader had repeatedly, though mildly, asked the government to ensure replies to the questions asked by legislators.
As soon as Parameshwara tabled the written replies, opposition BJP members, including Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, pointed out to the Chair that the situation had not improved despite repeated warnings, even as the Home Minister claimed that there was a "bit of improvement."
"Not even 50 per cent questions were replied to. You (Speaker) have warned them (government) four times already, do it for the fifth time. Let it become a record. This government is dead.....Despite warnings, they have not improved. Officials come like Gods, they go home like Gods," Ashoka said, demanding that the Speaker take action.
Khader expressed displeasure, stating that he had issued "clear orders" from his chair four times.
"This House is not for ministers. The session is held for legislators, and it is for them to meet once in three months to discuss issues in their constituencies. Legislators from all parties ask questions. Out of them, only 15 questions become 'starred' (questions to be answered on the floor of the House) daily. If the remaining (unstarred) questions go unanswered, why should they (MLAs) come to this House?" he asked.
Pointing out the lack of proper replies to questions asked, the Speaker said, "How can we continue like this? Despite clear orders from the Chair four times, there are no signs of improvement. How do we run this House?"
"So, until the concerned ministers and secretaries give a proper explanation, I won't run this House," he said, before adjourning the House and walking out.
Later, when the House resumed, the Speaker said there was a meeting involving the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, senior minister, chief secretary and other senior officials took place, during which it was decided that answers should be provided to questions put by MLAs and appropriate action had been taken.
The government will give its reply on this issue later in the day, he said, as he adjourned the House for lunch.
