AAP government loses majority, Independent MLA withdraws support

mangaloretoday.com / CNN-IBN

New Delhi, Feb 10: The Aam Aadmi party government in Delhi has lost majority after lone Independent MLA Rambeer Shokeen withdrawn his support on Monday. Shokeen had been threatening to withdraw support if the Kejriwal government did not fulfil its promises.

 

 

Shokeen had said that he will meet Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung along with JDU MLA Shoaib Iqbal and hand over a letter withdrawing support to the AAP government.

Reminding the AAP government of its promises, Shokeen said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made several promises on power and water problems in Delhi. But even after several days in office Kejriwal has failed to implement the promises, Shokeen had said.

 

AAP which had a spectacular debut in December 4 Assembly elections had won 28 seats in the 70-member Assembly. With the outside support of eight Congress MLAs, one JDU MLA and an Independent MLA, the AAP crossed the half-way mark and stood at 38.

But with its MLA Vinod Kumar Binny, Congress MLA Asif Mohammad Khan and Independent MLA withdrawing their support, the AAP government has been reduced to minority with just 35 MLAs.

The government’s strength can be tested only on the floor of the House. It is technically a minority government. AAP has 27 MLAs, Congress 8 MLAs and JDU 1 MLA which totals to 36 (1 AAP MLA is Speaker. If the Speaker is not counted him, then the government will have 35 MLAs). The Speaker can cast his vote, if there is a tie.

Moreover, one of the Congress MLA had said that he will vote against the AAP government.