Kejriwal raises full-statehood issue with Home Minister

New Delhi, Feb 11: Delhi's Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and raised the issue of full statehood to the national capital, emphasising that it will help in ensuring proper coordination among various agencies.

In the meeting, Kejriwal, accompanied by senior party leader Manish Sisodia, underlined the need for "constructive cooperation" between the Centre and the Delhi government and noted that political differences should not come in way of taking the city forward.

Kejriwal also invited Singh to his oath-taking ceremony at the Ramlila Grounds on February 14.

The AAP leader strongly pitched for granting full statehood to Delhi, saying it was an assurance given by even BJP in its assembly election manifesto in 2013. "We discussed the topic of statehood as many issues will find its way if Delhi is granted full statehood.

Both AAP and BJP had promised it in their election manifestos. "As there is a BJP government at the Centre with full majority and an AAP government is being formed in Delhi, there should not be any problem in fulfilling the promise. This will be the best thing for Delhi," Sisodia told reporters.

He said Kejriwal sought full cooperation from Singh in addressing various issues requiring intervention of the Centre. "The Home Ministry and the Delhi government should act in tandem and there should be constructive cooperation between the two," he said.

PTI