Delhi polls: Why AAP's Arvind Kejriwal still needs a friend in PM Narendra Modi
While Modi and Kejriwal assured each other of cooperation, the AAP government may have to negotiate hard to have its way on its pet anti-corruption legislation.
By Ambika Pandit, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Will the exchange of pleasantries between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal after the latter's landslide win on Tuesday translate into Centre-state cooperation? Delhi lacks many of the powers that other states have, and in matters of policing, land and certain legislative subjects it is dependent on the Centre. Even its municipal corporations are partly under central control. Successive state governments, including AAP's short-lived minority government, have found dealing with the Centre on these issues vexing.
While Modi and Kejriwal assured each other of cooperation, the AAP government may have to negotiate hard to have its way on its pet anti-corruption legislation called Jan Lokpal Bill, matters linked to regularization of unauthorized colonies, rehabilitation of slums, policing reforms and law and order. Even differences over bureaucratic reshuffles can become a bottleneck. And all this will have to be done despite the recent acrimony of the election campaign.
In Delhi, the lieutenant governor is the Centre's representative in all matters related to policing and land. Delhi Police is not only under the control of the home ministry but also gets its budget from the Centre.
Last year, the Jan Lokpal Bill became a flashpoint for Kejriwal's resignation after just 49 days in office. Kejriwal refused to refer the Bill to the Centre, arguing central approval is not necessary, while BJP and Congress protested in the House over his stand.
This time also, Kejriwal has made corruption his main target. His government's position on Jan Lokpal Bill and powers of Anti-Corruption Branch, which the Centre under BJP has curtailed, will decide the quality of Centre-state relations.
Kejriwal and the UPA government's home ministry also had a run-in over control of police in Delhi. Kejriwal sat on dharna near Parliament when the Centre refused to suspend police personnel in connection with three cases. He alleged police inaction on his law minister Somnath Bharti's complaint about a prostitution racket in Khirki Village, and blamed negligence for a foreign tourist's rape in the New Delhi railway station area. The AAP government had also sought action against police for failure to act on then minister Rakhi Birla's complaint in a dowry death case.
While Modi and Kejriwal assured each other of cooperation, the AAP government may have to negotiate hard to have its way on its pet anti-corruption legislation called Jan Lokpal Bill, matters linked to regularization of unauthorized colonies, rehabilitation of slums, policing reforms and law and order. Even differences over bureaucratic reshuffles can become a bottleneck. And all this will have to be done despite the recent acrimony of the election campaign.
In Delhi, the lieutenant governor is the Centre's representative in all matters related to policing and land. Delhi Police is not only under the control of the home ministry but also gets its budget from the Centre.
Last year, the Jan Lokpal Bill became a flashpoint for Kejriwal's resignation after just 49 days in office. Kejriwal refused to refer the Bill to the Centre, arguing central approval is not necessary, while BJP and Congress protested in the House over his stand.
This time also, Kejriwal has made corruption his main target. His government's position on Jan Lokpal Bill and powers of Anti-Corruption Branch, which the Centre under BJP has curtailed, will decide the quality of Centre-state relations.
Kejriwal and the UPA government's home ministry also had a run-in over control of police in Delhi. Kejriwal sat on dharna near Parliament when the Centre refused to suspend police personnel in connection with three cases. He alleged police inaction on his law minister Somnath Bharti's complaint about a prostitution racket in Khirki Village, and blamed negligence for a foreign tourist's rape in the New Delhi railway station area. The AAP government had also sought action against police for failure to act on then minister Rakhi Birla's complaint in a dowry death case.
ADVERTISEMENT
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
Related Articles
Gujarat: AAP MLA Vasava, 8 others get 7 years in jail for assaulting forest officials, extortion
ADVERTISEMENT
