Delhi impasse shows signs of truce, AAP to launch signature campaign 

On Monday when Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s protest entered eighth day, the “bureaucratic impasse” was reportedly on its way to being resolved with both the Aam Aadmi Party and the IAS officers softening their stand. But, observers feel any truce would be temporary until the core issues, which include demand for the full statehood for Delhi, are addressed.

However, the Delhi High Court pulled up Arvind Kejriwal and asked who had authorised the chief minister’s sit-in protest with his cabinet colleagues at the LG office.

“That is why perhaps realising the limits of the judiciary and administration, AAP has decided to take the fight a step further - to the people,” said an AAP observer.

In an anticipated move, AAP has announced the launch of a campaign from Tuesday to reach out to at least 10 lakh households in Delhi and collect signatures on a petition requesting that the party’s demands be met.

“From Tuesday, we will begin a signature campaign in which we will reach out to 10 lakh families in the National Capital and send those letters to the Prime Minister,” said AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.

Attempting to calm down the bureaucracy, Singh said the officers don’t have to “fear their safety and Kejriwal will do everything within his powers to ensure the same”. He also urged the IAS officers, the Lt. Governor and the Central government to take “a step forward in favour of Delhi residents” and work on all the pending projects.

In a show of solidarity, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav visited Satyendar Jain in LNJP Hospital and appreciated his efforts in strengthening Health system of Delhi. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader, D Raja paid a visit to Manish Sisodia who has also been admitted to the LNJP Hospital.

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee along with Chandrababu Naidu, Pinarayi Vijayan and HD Kumaraswamy extended support to Kejriwal, AAP received support from most of the opposition leaders including MK Stalin, Omar Abdullah and Kannada actor Prakash Raj among others.

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury had briefly joined the protesters at the Mandi House circle on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the IAS AGMUT (Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories) Association tweeted that the officers looked forward to concrete interventions for their security and dignity. “Officers ... welcome Chief Minister's appeal. We reiterate that we continue to be at work with full dedication and vigour. We look forward to concrete interventions for our security and dignity. We are open to formal discussions with theChief Minister on this matter,” tweeted the Association.