Hindustan Times (Delhi)

I’ll monitor MCD work personally if we win: Kejriwal

- Vishal Kant vishal.kant@hindustant­imes.com

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has promised a hands-on role in running Delhi’s municipal corporatio­ns if AAP comes to power in Sunday’s elections but ruled out any involvemen­t of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city’s administra­tion if the BJP retains power.

“The BJP is seeking votes only, and only, in the name of Modiji. I would like to tell people that Modiji is not going to run MCD… MCD will only be run by Kejriwal,” the AAP national convener told Hindustan Times in an interview on Thursday.

The AAP is making its debut in the civic elections, being billed as a barometer for the Kejriwal government’s popularity two years after it won an overwhelmi­ng mandate in the assembly polls.

Kejriwal argued that Delhi’s elected government has been reduced to an “advisory” role because all files went to the Lieutenant-Governor’s office for clearance, but things would be different in the MCDs. “Under MCD rules... the House is supreme,” he said.

The Delhi CM said his government has demolished several “mafias” which were allegedly active in the state government —power, water, medicines, contractor­s, education — and would end the parking, hoarding and contractor­s’ mafia in the MCD.

››FULL INTERVIEW: P4

I would like to tell people that Modiji is not going to run MCD… MCD will only be run by Kejriwal

Schools across the country have been warned against forcing their students to buy expensive textbooks produced by private publishers, rather than those belonging to the National Council of Educationa­l Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

In an advisory, the CBSE also said action would be taken against schools that indulge in commercial activities such as selling books, uniforms, shoes and stationery items to students.

The Delhi Police recently registered an FIR against a private publisher for “indecently depicting women and misreprese­nting the syllabus prescribed by the CBSE” in a Class 12 physical education textbook.

The book, which portrayed a 36-24-36 figure as the ideal body shape for women, drew widespread criticism and outrage in academic as well as social media circles.

CONTINUED ON P 9

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