Claiming support of 5 MLAs Vinod Binny threatens to pull down AAP government

NEW DELHI: Threatening the stability of the Aam Aadmi Party government in the Capital, expelled leader Vinod Kumar Binny on Sunday joined hands with two independent MLAs and issued an ultimatum to the government to meet a charter of demands related to water, power, women's safety and a probe into the Commonwealth Games.

Apart from Shoaib Iqbal and Rambeer Shaukin, who were also present at the press conference, Binny claimed he has the support of two other legislators, who he refused to name immediately. "Their names will be revealed on Monday," Binny told reporters adding that he along with four MLAs and a few more supporters could soon float a new party.

The AAP has initially won 28 seats in the Delhi elections, but after Binny's expulsion their strength came down to 27. The government enjoys the outside support of eight Congress MLAs and the two independent MLAs, Iqbal and Shaukin. If five MLAs pull out their support, it will be difficult for the AAP government to survive in a 70-member Delhi Assembly.

Binny's latest threat to the government comes a week after he staged a hunger strike against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar for allegedly deviating from its poll promises. Slashing power tariff for all consumers, making water consumption up to 700 litre a day free without any conditions and an immediate probe into the Commonwealth Games are among his demands.

"Our charter of demands will reach the government tomorrow and we're giving them 48 hours to meet them failing which we will pull out our support," said Binny. The party, however, did not take his threats too seriously. "Why wait for 48 hours, let them do what they want to immediately. We can't handle this daily drama. They're acting at the behest of rival parties," said Aam Aadmi party leader Sanjay Singh.