AAP doesn't want to act like Shiela Dikshit government: Shazia Ilmi

JAIPUR: Supporting the protest staged by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, AAP leader Shazia Ilmi today said her party doesn't want to act like the previous Shiela Dikshit government which "washed its hands off" crimes in the state by saying that Delhi Police is under the Centre.

"The Aam Aadmi Party doesn't like to act like Sheila Dikshit's government which washed its hands off cases like Nirbhaya gangrape saying that police accountability is under the Centre," Ilmi told reporters here on sidelines of the concluding day of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF).

Stating that her party's leader was right in holding a dharna, Ilmi claimed AAP had the full support of the people.

"Democracy gives the right to every individual to protest including the Chief Minister. Why should there be any fuss about it? We will not sit silent for public demands like the previous government," she added.

The journalist-turned-politician said the party wanted the police to work efficiently and in a non-corrupt manner.

"How will we face the public if they raise questions on the effective functioning of the law and order? So we will fight for it," she said.

Ilmi was participating in a debate 'Is democracy the worst form of government?' at the JLF.

Responding to a question by an audience member on whether she wanted to send out a "khaas" (special) aadmi message by donning the AAP cap at the festival, she said, "Our movement is all about making the common man feel 'khaas' and the 'khaas' people feel like the common man."

She said protests were the new weapon for democracy.