Live Reporting: Lt Gov recommends President's Rule, rejects Kejriwal's request for dissolution of assembly

New Delhi: The Lt. Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung today sent his recommendation to the Centre seeking imposition of President's Rule in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, while rejecting the Kejriwal government's request for dissolution of assembly. Instead, the Lt. Governor has recommended that the Assembly be kept under suspended animation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders today clearly said they had no intention of forming the government, as they lack the required numbers. BJP has 32 members in a House of 70. On the other hand, Aam Aadmi Party today announced it was going on campaign mode for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, with Jhadu Yatras taking place across the country. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal will kickstart the election campaign by addressing a rally in Rohtak, Haryana on February 23 to be followed by another rally in Kanpur on March 2.Kejriwal today met his supporters and asked them to prepare for fresh assembly elections. Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav was today asked by reporters whether the party would project Kejriwal as prime ministerial candidate. Yadav replied: "whether Arvind bhai fights the LS polls or not, our party will fight the Lok Sabha elections under his leadership".The Political Affairs Committee of Aam Aadmi Party today met at Kejriwal's residence to chalk out its strategy for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.Following is the live reporting of today's events: 5:20 pm: Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit, who ruled Delhi for 15 years, says: "The Jan Lokpal Bill was constitutionally untenable, and not in sync with the Lokpal Bill passed by Parliament. I think, the AAP government was more busy with protests, with an eye on Lok Sabha polls. Whether Delhi assembly polls be held with LS polls will depend on circumstances"2:52 pm: BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Harsh Vardhan says, it's up to Lt Governor to decide. Already 6 months have been lost as development projects have come to a standstill in Delhi. Kejriwal could well have taken approval from Centre for his Jan Lokpal Bill, but he did not do. He was more interested in misleading the people of Delhi in the name of Jan Lokpal.2:45 pm: Kiran Bedi says, AAP govt was never in governance mode, it was always in campaign mode. In the past, there had been excellent coordination between Delhi CM, Delhi Lt Governor and Delhi Police, but Kejriwal from Day 1 described Delhi Police as his enemy. I was an IPS officer. I know the insult a Delhi policeman feels. Moreover, nobody is asking Kejriwal the question that Jan lokpal was not wanted in Delhi. Delhi already has the Lokayukta Act, and he could very well have brought amendments to Lokayukta, not Lokpal. Lokpal is only at the Centre, Lokayukta is in states.2:30 pm: Yogendra Yadav says, if the Centre approaches the Supreme Court to quash the FIR against Mukesh Ambani, it will be proved that the government belongs to a particular corporate house, which has Congress in one pocket, and the BJP in another pocket. 2:20 pm: Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav says, Congress and UPA have become irrelevant in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress' defeat is certain. BJP may provide a substitute, but AAP provides an alternative. Ultimately it will be a choice between substitute versus alternative. Modi could be the substitute and Kejriwal is the alternative.2:07 pm: Manish Sisodia says, AAP government has ordered filing of FIRs in six important scams, including CWG, Delhi Jal Board and other scams. We hope the probe will be conducted impartially. 2:02 pm: AAP press conference. Sanjay Singh says, his party will expose Mukesh Ambani and his 40 brothers in the next LS elections. For last two days, both BJP and Congress members in Assembly have been claiming "we are 40" (BJP 32 and Congerss 8). Kejriwal will address public rallies in Rohtak, Haryana on Feb 23 and in Kanpur, UP on March 2. 2 pm: Press release from Raj Nivas: "The Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Arvind Kejriwal along with the Council of Ministers met Hon'ble LG at Raj Niwas on 14.02.2014, and submitted their resignation. Thereupon the LG has forwarded the resignation along with his report to the Hon'ble President of India today."1:58 pm: Anna Hazare says there is no harm if Arvind Kejriwal wants to become PM1:55 pm: Friends. This is decisive battle against corruption. All right thinking and patriotic people shud come together: Tweets Arvind Kejriwal1: 15 pm: BJP decides to hold dharna at Jantar Mantar on Feb 18 against "non-fulfilment of promises" by Kejriwal1 PM: In Nagpur, BJP leader and Delhi in-charge Nitin Gadkari says, we don't have the numbers to form a govt in Delhi, neither do we intend to form govt. The best part of the entire episode is that the hollowness of Aam Aadmi Party has been exposed. 11:50 am: Expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny reveals, "some AAP leaders tried to contact him again for return to party fold. "Some of them directly, and some indirectly contacted me. I will not reveal their names. Naturally they are worried that if there is reelection several of their MLAs may not get re-elected. I told them clearly, let them speak whatever they want in public, in front of everybody, and then I will react. I am not averse to discussion, but let them come out openly."11:45 am: AAP leader Sanjay Singh speaks before walking into party political affairs committe meeting. Singh says: "From today onwards, we will launch nationwide "jhadoo maro, beimaan bhagao" campaign. It is now clear that both brothers (Congress and BJP) are one in stalling law against corruption. Ambani and his 40 brothers yesterday prevented introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill. The real face of these two parties are now in the open. Both Congress and BJP are in collusion over Coalgate, over RTI, over protecting criminal MPs, over protecting Ambani and against Jan Lokpal"11:30 am: Expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny tells a news channel that he has not made up his mind about supporting BJP-led government. "Let BJP comes out with its policies and programmes, then I will decide. I have neither contacted BJP leaders, nor are they in touch with me", says Binny 11:14 am: Manish Sisodia tells India TV, "whatever happened inside Delhi assembly was blatant collusion between Congress and BJP members. Congress leader Mukesh Sharma was whispering in BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi's ears, while BJP leader Sahib Singh Chauhan was exchanging slips with Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely. This was just like a symphony. First, BJP members walked into the well and returned. Then, Congress members walked into the well. If this is not collusion, what else is?"11:13 am: AAP political affairs committee meeting begins. Manish Sisodia, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav, other members reach Kejriwal's residence. 11 am: AAP leader Prashant Bhushan: " It's now for the LG to decide if BJP joins hands with Congress and stakes its claim for forming government. If BJP declines, there is no option left but to dissolve the Assembly. "Kiran Bedi has become a spokesperson of BJP. She is now supporting the Jokepal passed by Parliament which was approved by BJP", says Bhushan. 10:55 am: Kejriwal meets supporters from his New Delhi constituency. Asks them to gear up for fresh elections. 10:40 am: Congress leader J P Agrawal said, the issue is not about Congress withdrawing support to AAP. "They are running away from their promises of free power , free water and job opportunities. They could fulfil only five out of the 18 promises they had made".10:38 am: Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, son of Sheila Dikshit: "Let the Lt Governor decide. We wanted a secular government. Kejriwal doesn't want to govern. He prefers to stage protests. Whatever AAP did was only a political drama. He has the habit to run away from responsibility. They do not belief in the system or in governance."10:30 am: Independent MLA Rambir Shokeen, who later withdrew support from AAP:" AAP never wanted to run the government. It's good that Kejriwal resigned. I will meet senior leaders of both Congress and BJP and persuade them to forge a strong government in Delhi."