Once bitten, Kejri fights shy of
EXERCISING CAUTION
NEW DELHI: AAP 2.0 will be a different government in many ways. It will not be in hurry to meet short deadlines as seen in his earlier innings. And drawing on an unprecedented mandate, the new government looks poised to work in a relaxed manner.
In its previous innings, as the party had won only 28 seats and formed a minority government with outside support from its rival Congress, it was not sure of its survival. This had led to hourly deadlines, a chaotic working style and frantic transfers on a daily basis.
This time, Aam Aadmi Party won a thumping victory in the Delhi assembly elections, bagging an incredible 67 of the 70 seats.
“I request the media not to ask me about deadlines. We have a mandate to serve the people over the next five years. But I can assure we will work 24X7. I was down with fever but I took Crocin before coming here today,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said after being sworn in at Ramlila Maidan on Saturday.
His deputy expectedly seconded him. When journalists asked about the government’s top priorities, Manish Sisodia kept insisting that all 70 points in AAP’s manifesto are of utmost importance. “The whole 70-point agenda is our priority. Our top priority will be to serve the people in the best possible manner,” Sisodia said, soon after Kejriwal and his ministers drove to the secretariat after taking oath.
While Kejriwal vowed to make Delhi corruption-free in the five years of AAP’s rule, his deputy said the government will focus on curbing corruption, controlling price rise and providing uninterrupted power and water supply.
Kejriwal admitted he had been over-ambitious in fielding so many candidates in the general elections, and promised to focus just on running the capital
Looking to attract Delhi’s traders and raise revenue, Kejriwal said, “You helped us a lot during the election. I promise all traders that no department will harass you. We want trade, industries to flourish.”
“Please pay taxes. I will not let anybody steal your hardearned money. We will put your taxes to build roads, parking, improve your markets, women’s safety.”
The chief minister looked set to improve Delhi’s infrastructure and said funds cannot be a hurdle. “One thing I have learnt from our 49-day government is that the government has a lot of money. What we lack is the intent to scale up infrastructure.”
He said that people want to contribute to Delhi’s growth, offering to fund schools, colleges, provide us with land, CCTV cameras.