Arvind Kejriwal to go on indefinite fast from 1 March

New Delhi: Taking forward the fight for full statehood, Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast from 1 March.

Addressing members of the legislative assembly, Kejriwal said "From 1st March I will begin hunger strike. I am going to fast till we get statehood. I am ready to face death. "

A movement is the only way out of this crisis and the people of Delhi have to come on streets to fight for full statehood, he said.

The AAP-led Delhi government will launch a campaign from 1 March to demand statehood for the national capital.

The issue is a key part of their campaign ahead of the upcoming general elections.

"Why is democracy being denied to people of Delhi ? The elected government of Delhi has no powers to work efficiently for the people of Delhi. The Prime Minister is unable to handle national issues, why is he bothered about the municipal corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police? He should worry about national issues. Let us handle Delhi," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi government, which came to power in 2015, claims that the lack of statehood leads to governance suffering in the state. Delhi being a special state, matters of land, law and order come under the central home ministry and the lieutenant governor (LG). There has been a constant tussle between the two since the government came to power.

Last week, to gather support, Kejriwal also visited Puducherry where the Congress-led elected government was sitting in protest against the decisions taken by the LG.