Sir — This refers to the report, “PM’s chai pe charcha with Kejri” (February 13). Mr Arvind Kejriwal has made a good beginning by meeting the Prime Minister and Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu, whose ministries control the police and land of Delhi, even before taking oath. He will need their support in the development of Delhi.
Out of the issues he discussed with the Prime Ministers and the other Ministers, his demand for full statehood to Delhi and the control of Delhi police have been highlighted by the media. Mr Narendra Modi assured him of considering the statehood demand. But statehood needs an amendment to the Constitution.
Members of Parliament from across the country live in Delhi, and given their security and other concerns, not many may support a constitutional amendment for statehood and control of Delhi Police by the State regime. Also, the Government of India is responsible for the security and safety of foreign embassies and Central constitutional institutions including the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India — which is the job of Delhi police. Mr Kejriwal should focus on providing bijli-pani-sadak-swasthya-shiksha first.