‘ Cautious’ Kejriwal working to deliver on poll promises

The AAP government, which will complete 49 days in office on Friday, has been working with extreme caution in its second tenure to deliver on the promises it had made during the Assembly elections in Delhi. The same government, which had quit after 49 days of assuming power last year, had made hasty decisions in granting power and water subsidies. It had even put everything on stake by introducing the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Assembly, which was vehemently opposed by its ally, the Congress party.

This time, it is a different AAP government at play at the Delhi Secretariat. The party seems to be in no hurry to introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill. Nor, has it shown any keenness to introduce the proposed Swaraj Bill in the Assembly. The government has taken a different route altogether to ensure that the parameters set in the proposed Swaraj Bill to involve people in day- to- day governance are met slowly and steadily.

Earlier, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal used to give sound bytes to TV cameras after every decision his Cabinet would take at the Delhi Secretariat. This time, the same CM has not spoken on camera even once about any key decisions his government has taken. Even the media can gain entry only after 3 pm in the Secretariat.

Breaking all traditions, the AAP government has appointed as many as 21 MLAs as parliamentary secretaries with different ministers. Former chief minister Sheila Dikshit had increased the number of parliamentary secretaries from one to three. This is also the first occasion when the chief minister does not have any portfolio. Rather, Mr Kejriwal has set up a dialogue commission which gives its opinion on pressing issues concerning the city administration. This is also the first occasion when the city has a deputy chief minister, who has virtually become the face of the AAP administration. What has been a great concern to the AAP is the internal political strife it has been facing over the issues raised by founding members like Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and Admiral L. Ramdas ( Retd). Both Mr Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia have succeeded in showing the door to their opponents. The AAP, hit by infighting, has taken an aggressive stand against the municipal bodies run by the BJP. Keeping an eye on the 2017 municipal polls, it has even demanded dissolution of the EDMC with the request that it should be handed over to the government.