Post #18: Delhi: Before Kejriwal,During Kejriwal and After Kejriwal

        Delhi,also known as National Capital territory(NCT) of India,which became the capital of India in 1911. Being a union territory, it resembles more like a state due to its politico-administrative setup. It has its own High Court, own legislature, Lieutenant Governor and an executive council of ministers headed by a CM. Delhi is jointly administered by the GOI and Govt of Delhi.

           Delhi, right now, is experiencing political tremors  as on friday the Chief minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal  resigned over not passing JanLokpal Bill in Delhi Assembly. The assembly elections held in late 2013 had given a split mandate with no party getting absolute majority. Out of 70 seats, the largest party was BJP+ with 32 seats, the 2^nd largest party was 1 year old AAP which came with phenomenal 28 seats in its maiden election, Congress party which was ruling Delhi since 1998 won only 8 seats, JD(U) came with only one MLA  and Others with one.

Before Kejriwal

            In 1956,the legislative assembly was abolished and was controlled by direct federal GOI. But in 1993,it was re-established. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) handles civic administration for the city as part of the Panchayati Raj System. Till 1990s, Congress had formed all the govt in Delhi,in between BJP led by Madan Lal Khurana came to power. However, since 1998, Congress led by Smt. Sheila Dixit was ruling Delhi.

          Let’s not go in the deep and as Delhi was ruled mostly by the Congress so let's talk only about Congress rule in the last 15 years in brief. In the last one and half decade Delhi being the largest commercial center in Northern India has grown at very fast rate. Introduction of Metro Rail and CNG public transport system contained the pollution to the lower level. It became the most green capital city of the world. Newly constructed Bridges, Flyovers significantly contributed in the development of Delhi. Quantity of development was quite considerable but the quality,the worst. 
        In the recent years, there is a significant decline in the security of women,Nobody can forget the incident of Nirbhaya case happened on 16th of Dec'12. Slowly it became the rape capital of India. The rate of conviction is very very low. Despite huge sanction of fund,Yumuna river could never be cleaned. Corruption settled at its peak. Water supply system deteriorated. CM’s capability also deteriorated with the administrative system. CWG scam, Illegal regularization of Jhuggi-Jhopdi(JJ) colony and many unprecedented events led to the defeat of CM Sheila Dixit by a huge margin in the recent election and overall defeat of Congress Party.

During Kejriwal: Controversies

            After so many public meetings, online polls on whether AAP should form a govt or not, Kejriwal was sworn-in on 28^th of Dec’13 at Ramlila Ground in the presence of thousands of Delhites. It’s true that with the outside support of Congress he formed govt, but he never supported Congress and its leaders. He had come with 18 issues and was working on the issues till he quit.

           Though his own MLA Mr. Vinod Kumar Binny alleged that AAP is not working on the issues and derailing from the right track, after frequent press conferences he said that he may withdraw support from AAP. Whereas, in contrast, Kejriwal said “Mr. Binny was earlier demanding ministerial post and after denying the post he started shouting for LokSabha ticket”, later on he was expelled from the party on the ground of breaking party discipline.

            After that, Law Minister Mr. Somnath Bharti called the meeting of judges, some said he tried to repaint the evidences of some critical cases and hence,created controversy. Surprisingly some days later he raided Khidki Extension,Delhi at 2 AM as local people complained to him that in their area sex racket and drug paddling are actively running  and police officers are not lodging any complaints which again created controversy. Controversy was of the kind that even Ugandan Women alleged the involvement of minister for raiding in the midnight and taking their urine sample,though not proved later in medical examination. Opposition started demanding resignation of Law Minister. But through AAP’s so called internal investigation team gave him a clean chit.

          In relation with Khidki Extension case, Kejriwal registered an unsual kind of protest in the history as being a CM one had never sat on dharna ,he protested along with cabinet minister,MLAs and myriad AAP supporters in front of the Railway Bharwan demanding the suspension of 3 SHOs of Khidki Extension for not filing an FIR against drug paddlers. He, in this dharna, also shouted for separate statehood for Delhi and for bringing in the Delhi Police under state govt.  Kejriwal called off that dharna after getting assurance from Home Minister for sending the SHOs on leave.

         Women and child welfare minister Ms. Rakhi Birla was attacked and she complained to Delhi police. However,it sparked a controversy when a boy came in light when he said the tennis-ball was hit on her car and he had apologized right there.

         Within 10 days of coming in to power, Delhi govt scrapped the FDI in multi-brand retail, which may be considered as regressive step for the city like Delhi, which is also the capital of India.

During Kejriwal: Achievements

          Even after so much of hues and cries in the last 49 days, Kejriwal had achieved many things which cannot be ignored by anyone. In such a short span of time,Kejriwal gave Delhites what Sheila Dixit in 15 years could not. Whatever Kejriwal promised before assembly election,He tried to deliver as soon as possible. Media called him "A Man in Hurry". However,his dream bills JanLokpal and Swaraj could not be passed and eventually led to the downfall of govt. We should admit that what he said, he did and he failed so he quit.

         Kejriwal was successful in calling off the VIP Culture which,earlier, could not be ended even after the order of honorable Supreme Court. Before Kejriwal VIPs used to put red beacon in the private vehicles too.

            He took a decision on providing 50% subsidy for the usage of 400 units of electricity per household, though it was only for the current financial year. Later on an order for CAG audit of private electricity companies was passed and companies opposed. 

          Water upto 20,000 L/month/per connection was provided for free of cost. But exceeding 20,000 L ,people had to pay full charge thinking that it may encourage water conservation. Subsequently, the displaying of online record of Tanker water supply for all on the Delhi Jal Board Website was ordered. Apart from these steps, VAT on water was simplified.

          Providing permits to 5500 new Auto-rickshaw owners for the whole Delhi-NCR,which was a much required step, AAP govt should be appreciated for this.

              For curbing the bribery in govt offices,Kejriwal govt announced new anti-corruption helpline number and encouraged to do sting operations on officials whenever they demand money. Many officials were caught red-handed and put behind the bars. FIRs  were filed on many leaders who were indulged in CWG,Oil,Water,Gas scams.

        Helpline number of Nursery Admissions started for parents. Management quota in the private schools was abolished. Govt immediately tried to fix the problems of water, toilets, electricity and infrastructure in the govt schools.

            Govt announced for constructing 58 new night-shelters and providing basic facilities like water, beds and toilet for poor homeless people in the bone-chilling winter. Though govt was not so much successful in preventing the deaths of people and later the notice from high court was served upon the govt.

         Rupees One cr. of help announced for the constable who died while fighting against corruption.

       Kejriwal govt started studying the possibility of making contracted serviceman to permanent serviceman.

         SIT formation was announced for the inquiry of ’84 Sikh Riot.

        Women Security Force formation was initiated.

After Kejriwal

          As soon as Kejriwal resigned,he recommended Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the house and to process the fresh election. However, LG Najeeb Jung recommended for the President rule. The questions are what will happen to the policies and changes made by Kejriwal? Will these be overturned by the next govt? Will the FIRs lodged against corrupt officials and ministers be revoked? In the state, people were happy with Kejriwal though most of them may not be voting for AAP in the center,but right now AAP supporters are not happy with the resignation of CM. Now,Kejriwal may increase his pace for fighting the general elections due this year. In the next assembly election,whenever it takes place,people may vote for AAP in full majority,who knows? Perhaps, within a week Delhi will come under President rule. There have not been so much of days passed yet,we will have to wait and see what happens in the next few days.