At ‘open Cabinet’, Kejri dares Centre, demands statehood

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 25

Days after the Union Home Ministry issued a notification allowing the Lieutenant Governor to intervene in key administrative decisions in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal demanded full statehood for the National Capital with full control over the police.

He said his government had registered a case against a top official of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd during its first stint of 49 days in Delhi last year but the BJP restricted the powers of the Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to “shield” the corrupt.

In an address at an "open cabinet" to mark 100 days of the AAP government, Kejriwal said: “The court order (which says the L-G is bound to act upon the advice of the Council of Ministers) has come as a gift for us when we completed 100 days (in power) yesterday. It is a gift for you who have voted for us.”

Taking a dig at the Centre, he said: “They are after us. But, when God is with you, you don't have to worry who's against you. When you are on the right path, the entire universe comes to help you.”

Present at the venue were top bureaucrats working with the Delhi Government, including Shakuntala Gamlin whose recent appointment triggered a turf war between Kejriwal and the L-G. Kejriwal said: “There are 11 focus points of our government — electricity, water, education, health, women security, JJ colonies, unauthorised colonies, corruption, pollution, traffic and price rise. And, we are here to answer your questions and seek your suggestions.