The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government in Delhi completed 100 days in office on Sunday. The first 100 days were a roller-coaster ride for the Delhi Government as it ran into one controversy after another. Though it successfully implemented a slew of its electoral promises, including slashing power tariff by 50 per cent and providing free water of up to 20,000 litres per month to every household, the period was marked by marked by the internecine tussle with lt-Governor Najeeb Jung and a split in the party. The Government also re-launched the 1031 anti-corruption helpline to achieve its stated objective of making Delhi the country’s first graft-free State.
A new body, Delhi Dialogue Commission was set up to implement the Government’s 70-point development agenda whereas 21 MlAs were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries to assist in matters of governance.
Its bid to reach out to the rural constituency suffered a serious setback in the form of an alleged suicide of a farmer at a party rally days after it announced relief of Rs20,000 per acre for rain and hailstorm-hit farmers in Delhi. The comment by the Chief Minister, who has repeatedly alleged “conspiracies” against the Government, that there should be a “public trial” of the media evoked sharp criticism.
later, the Government also issued a circular on filing of defamation cases against media houses for publishing or broadcasting news that damages the reputation of the Chief Minister, the Council of Ministers or the Government officials. The circular was stayed by Supreme Court.
However, on the positive side, the Arvind Kejriwal Government initiated the process of regularising unauthorised colonies while it banned demolition of jhuggis immediately after assuming office and held a series of special camps to provide licences to e-rickshaws.
In February, the AAP Government had announced a 50 per cent subsidy on monthly power consumption of up to 400 units and 20,000 litres of free water per month to all households which would cost the exchequer around Rs1,670 crore annually. The free water scheme and power subsidy came into effect from March 1.
The ruling AAP on multiple occasions locked horns with the police, accusing it of creating problems towards smooth functioning of the Government, which reached its flashpoint when they got entangled in a tussle over the issue of statutory powers of a District Magistrate who was asked to probe the alleged suicide of farmer Gajendra Singh.
The Delhi Police had written to the district magistrate saying he had no jurisdiction in the matter as it was the subject matter of an FIR filed under various sections of IPC, including abetment of suicide.
On the administrative front, Kejriwal had to settle for KK Sharma as the Chief Secretary as the Centre overruled his choice of Ramesh Negi. A major conflict broke out as the lt Governor Najeeb Jung appointed Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting Chief Secretary when Sharma went on a 10-day leave.
As Kejriwal questioned the l-G’s authority and accused him of trying to take over the administration, the Union Home Ministry came out with a notification throwing its weight behind Jung. The chances of the confrontation ebbing away looks a distant possibility as the two sides have raised the stakes in the power tussle with the Delhi Government mulling to take the legal route.
The AAP Government has also decided to call a two-day ‘emergency’ session of Delhi Assembly from Tuesday to deliberate on the notification. The period also saw Kejriwal loyalists having an ugly spat with dissident leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. The duo was expelled from the party last month.