Despite securing absolute majority in the Delhi legislative Assembly, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Arvind Kejriwal Government is unable to address the issues of good governance adequately. The Arvind Kejriwal Government is completing its 49 days on Friday. like his first 49-day regime, his second tenure has been a stormy one too as his party has been mired in controversies and questions are being raised about his autocratic style of functioning. This time, Kejriwal has entrusted all powers to his No. 2, Manish Sisodia and made him Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi. Sisodia has been authorised to take decision on behalf of Chief Minister of Delhi.
The Kejriwal Government in the first 49 days has been found wanting in addressing the issues of corruption-free governance and solving the problems in transport, environment, road infrastructure and water supply. It has also failed to generate adequate revenue and cut its plan fund to give subsidy on water and power. Even private schools and institutions are making big capital gain but the AAP Government is unable to proceed even an inch to ensure admission to weaker sections of the society.
What has been a great concern to AAP is the internal political strife it has been facing over the issues raised by its founding members like Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and Admiral (retd) l Ramdas. Both Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia have succeeded in showing the door to their opponents. Inside AAP, the party is facing dissidence of its founders, outside it 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 East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) with the request that the same be handed over to the city Government for day-to-day functioning.
This time around, the party seems to be in no hurry to introduce its Jan lokpal Bill. Nor, has it shown any keenness to introduce its proposed Swaraj Bill in the two Assembly sessions. 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.
It was the same Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who used to give soundbites to TV cameras after every hour on any decision his Cabinet would take at the Delhi Secretariat. This time, the same CM has not spoken even once on any key decisions his Government has taken before any camera. Even the media can get 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. The erstwhile Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had increased the number of her Parliamentary Secretaries from one to three. This is also the first occasion when the CM has not kept any portfolio with him. Rather, he has set up a Delhi Dialogue Commission which gives its opinion on pressing issues concerning the administration. This is also the first occasion when the city has its first deputy Chief Minister, who has virtually become the face of the AAP administration.
The Government has already doubled the strength of its ACB and increased their annual budget from Rs8 crore to Rs15 crore. Though silent on its Jan lokpal Bill, the Government has taken a strategic call to strengthen its Anti-Corruption Bureau and Vigilance Department so that they can act quickly against corrupt officials.
Even on the Swaraj concept, the AAP Government has decided to first take the experiment to 11 constituencies. The Government will be involving 40 mohalla committees in each constituency, who will take decisions on the projects they want to set up in their respective areas. Each committee will be given financial powers to the tune of Rs50 lakh for their local projects. Even the contractors for these projects would be recommended by the mohalla committees. The AAP’s plan is to involve common people in the making of the Delhi Budget. This way, the Government believes it would be able to involve common people in its day-to-day governance.
Kejriwal’s first 49 days witnessed dharna, protests and total mismanagement of governance but he had termed it a “Ram Rajya”. During his earlier 49-day regime, Kejriwal had slashed electricity tariff and gave 20,000 litres of free water to every household. It 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 opposed tooth and nail by its ally, the Congress party.