Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken today claimed that the AAP government was raising the demand for full statehood to hide its "failures" to perform and said the people should take a decision on the issue.
He also demanded that the Arvind Kejriwal government to come out with a 'White Paper' to tell the Delhi people the benefits and drawbacks of full statehood.
The AAP government has called a three-day special session of the Legislative Assembly to discuss its demand for full statehood.
The Centre spends Rs 6,953 crore on Delhi every year. The super-speciality hospitals funded by the Centre receive Rs 3,000 crore annually. There are three central universities and Metro Rail and these are because Delhi is the national capital, Maken said.
Asserting that Delhi's status should not be altered, he said, "It is fine if any other benefits come besides it. AAP leaders are raising full statehood issue to cover up the failures of their government."
On the demand for statehood, he said, "It is a complex issue that needs to be deliberated as the national capital status comes with certain privileges that will have to be given up. Full statehood and status of national capital can not co-exist."