NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – Activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal resigned as chief minister of Delhi yesterday, frustrated by obstacles put in the way of an anti-corruption bill, and immediately proposed fresh municipal elections for India’s capital.
A former tax collector who heads the fledgling Aam Aadmi – or “common man” – Party (AAP), Kejriwal made a stunning debut in the city’s state elections in December, tapping into public disgust with corruption and misgovernance.
The anti-graft bill would have set up an ombudsman with the power to investigate politicians and civil servants.
Kejriwal had wanted it to be passed in the Delhi assembly in the coming days, but two mainstream parties thwarted him, arguing that it must be approved by the federal government first.
Kejriwal announced he was standing down after a chaotic stand-off that had paralysed the Delhi assembly through the day, with lawmakers bawling at each other and some trying to snatch the microphone of the legislature’s speaker.
“The Delhi assembly should be dissolved and fresh elections should be held,” he said, holding up a copy of his resignation letter at his party’s headquarters as supporters outside cheered, despite a chilling downpour of rain. Kejriwal said the Congress party and Bharatiya Janata Party had united against the bill after he had ordered a probe into India’s richest man, Re-liance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani as well as policymakers over gas pricing. Reliance said his allegations were baseless.
