Arvind Kejriwal rejects Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's call to revisit decision on Assembly session venue

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tonight rejected Lt Governor Najeeb Jung's call to revisit his decision to hold a special session of Delhi assembly for the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill at an open stadium, saying there will be no review of the move.

Kejriwal's assertion to hold the session at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium came hours after Jung asked him not to stick to the decision as Delhi police has expressed reservation over it citing possible law and order situation.

"It is the prime duty of the Delhi Police to ensure the safety of the people and if the Police Commissioner considers himself incompetent in doing so, should he continue to be in his post?," Kejriwal said.

On the issue of holding the final session of the Assembly at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Jung had conveyed to Kejriwal that it was imperative to take the views of the Delhi Police for maintenance of law and order.

"The Delhi Police is clear that it would not be possible to identify and segregate people coming to the venue who may have intention to disturb the Assembly. The inability to handle large crowds had become evident in the Janta Darbar and it would indeed be more difficult to control crowds within the vicinity of the Assembly.

"Therefore, in view of the law and order position and keeping in view the sanctity of the Assembly proceedings he has requested Kejriwal to reconsider this decision," the Lt Governor statement had said.