NEW DELHI: Kejriwal meets LG, stakes claim to form govt After being elected leader of the AAP Legislature Party, Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and staked claim to form the government in Delhi.
Sweet comeback on Valentine’s day Kejriwal will take oath as Chief Minister on February 14 at the Ramlila Grounds, the platform that launched him, exactly one year after he stepped down.
Delhi Cong chief Lovely calls it quits Delhi Congress chief Arvinder Singh Lovely on Tuesday tendered his resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi after taking moral responsibility for the party’s worst-ever performance.
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After a landslide victory in Delhi elections, the AAP Government’s focus will be on delivering the promises it made in the party manifesto and the three things which Arvind Kejriwal, who takes oath on February 14, is likely to announce on the day one as Delhi Chief Minister -- reducing power tariff by half, free water to Delhiites and tabling of the Jan Lokpal to check corruption and petty bribery.
The other major issues that would be high on the AAP’s agenda in the first few months would be women security, steps to regularise contractual staff and fight for full statehood for the national capital. Senior party leaders agree that it won’t be easy to deliver with elevated hopes and the real challenge has now begun.
AAP leader Raghav Chaddha says the party already has a 70-point action plan ready for the city which was prepared after over 90 days of discussions with people across Delhi. This includes variety of issues ranging from power, water, women safety, education, health, business and wi-fi connectivity among others.
“We already have a vision in front of us about what can be done and on the basis of this action plan only people have voted us to power. Now we have a blueprint which needs to be effectively implemented and that we will start from the day one after Arvind assumes charge,” Chaddha told Express.
According to AAP leaders, Jan Lokpal Bill will be tabled in the very first session of the legislative assembly whenever it is convened and will be passed within 15 days of the government as promised in the manifesto while relief in water and power are expected to be announced within days of Kejriwal assuming office. During his 49-day government in 2014, electricity bill upto 400 units were halved and 20,000 litres of potable water every month was made free.
Ending corruption tops Kejriwal’s agenda as during his first public address at the party office after the AAP’s win, he said: “.”
Another push for CAG audit of power distribution companies will also be on AAP’s cards along with steps to rein in water tanker mafia, laying down water pipelines and steps to address concerns of auto-rickshaw drivers would also be in first few steps of AAP government.
What People Want
Ghanshyam, a small-time businessman in the central Delhi, explained that fight against corruption should be the first priority of the AAP Government. The second demand on his wish-list is crackdown against Police high-handedness followed by cheap water and electricity. Rakesh, a central government employee, said the first priority should be taming rising electricity and water bills and better facilities in colonies. He said they all voted against the BJP and not against any candidate.
“They have antagonised common man by selling only success stories. Vegetables prices are sky-rocketing but no one is questioning it, why? I think, Kejriwal won by symbolising hope and aspiration for people frustrated from both the national parties,” he said .