Four-way trouble for Kejriwal: Janlokpal, BJP, water crisis & withdrawal threat by independent MLA

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government on Monday faced four way trouble; the problem of getting the Janlokpal Bill passed, BJP MLAs decision to meet President to submit a memorandum against AAP government, threat of independent MLA Rambir Shokeen withdrawing support and the UP government warning about water supply.

While Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that the letter by Delhi CM, seeking changes in assembly rules over Jan Lokpal was being examined, Kejriwal said that he is willing to resign over the passage of the Bill. "I will quit a thousand times to make sure that the Janlopkal Bill is passed," Kejriwal said. Kejriwal will meet LG Najeeb Jung later in the day over the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill.

The AAP government's plans to enact the Jan Lokpal Bill in a public venue faced hurdles with Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran insisting that Lt Governor's prior approval is necessary.

Parasaran, whose opinion was sought by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on the constitutionality of the Delhi Government's proposal to enact the Bill without seeking Centre's clearance, is understood to have conveyed to him that it will be illegal if enacted without the consent.

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare aide and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi has hit out at Kejriwal over Jan Lokpal Bill 'drama'. "It appears that the political party on whose support AAP is relying was not consulted in the Lokpal Bill. If one truely wants it, should it not have been prior consulted?" tweeted Bedi.

"I wonder if the Delhi Lokayukta bill is drafted to be passed? Or was it to cause major confrontation to walk away while blaming many others!" Bedi tweeted.

Kejriwal has said that he does not have the right to stay in office if the contentious legislation does not get the approval of the Assembly. The Bill is opposed both by the Congress, whose continued support is essential for the survival of his seven-week-old government, as well as the Opposition BJP.

In a House of 70, AAP's strength has been reduced to 27 including the Speaker after its MLA Vinod Kumar Binny was expelled from the party while the Congress has eight legislators. The BJP has 32. In a fresh trouble for AAP government, independent MLA Rambir Shokeen has also threatened to pull out of AAP government.