Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal finds ally in M Venkaiah Naidu

NEW DELHI: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal may have rubbed the home ministry and Delhi Police the wrong way with his policy decisions and numerous run-ins but he has found an unlikely ally in Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu.

Thanks to the special status Delhi has, the government has to run to the urban development ministry for various issues including regularisation of unauthorised colonies, funds, special drives or anything related to land. Whether it is plain smart thinking or political chemistry, Kejriwal has a great working relationship with Naidu. No surprises then that Delhi has no pending issues with the urban development ministry.

Naidu recently sanctioned Rs 3,250 crore to decongest Delhi’s roads. The Delhi government will be provided Rs 1,500 crore, DDA Rs 1,665 crore and North Delhi Municipal Corporation Rs 85 crore for executing various projects. According to sources, there was a discussion within the ministry on whether a Cabinet nod was required. However, Naidu said there was no need for it as funds for Delhi were from the Urban Development Fund, constituted by the ministry from revenue flows of DDA. “The minister said it is after all Delhi’s money. So why shouldn’t Delhi use it,” said an urban development ministry official.