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The verdict of the high court (HC) here in restoring the jurisdiction of the city government's anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in probing alleged offences by Delhi Police personnel was a shot in the arm for the Aam Aadmi Party government in the city.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after a series of reverses, highlighted this symbolic victory as he unveiled the achievements of the "people's government" at a public meeting of the ministry at Central Park in the heart of the capital on Monday, to mark completion of 100 days in office.
Without mincing words, Kejriwal hit out at the Narendra Modi-led central government, stating it was quick to restrict the power of the ACB after his earlier 49-day AAP government had booked a case against industrialist Mukhesh Ambani. The Kejriwal government has been engaged in a confrontation with the Modi government and its city monitor, the lieutenant governor, in recent weeks.
"The HC has ruled that the Centre and home ministry have no right to interfere with the Delhi ACB," said Kejriwal to loud applause.
The CM and his ministry reiterated their "historic popular mandate of 67 seats" (of the 70 in the legislative assembly) was the source of the strength of the fledgling government as it "took on the (central) establishment." "We have to take back Delhi's rights from the Centre. This type of (central home ministry) notification is dictatorial," said the CM, addressing the public.
Reminding his audience that after the swearing-in ceremony when he first met the prime minister, he had urged Modi to help Delhi attain statehood. A demand, he noted, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party had also been making for long; the Centre had belied those promises. "Full statehood can be implemented if the PM and the Delhi government are in sync. We want to work with the Centre, not fight," said the CM, to allegations that the AAP government was always in 'fight mode'.
Incidentally, both Chief Secretary K K Sharma and Shakuntala Gamlin (whose appointment as acting chief secretary when the former was on leave had raised the hackles of the AAP government) were present on the dais with the CM and his ministers. Kejriwal said since the AAP government had come to power, 80 per cent of corruption has been reduced in the city. His Deputy CM, Manish Sisodia, said it was a "transfers and postings" racket which fuelled large corruption, and this had been stopped. In another statement, the AAP said, "Delhi government is committed to eradicate corruption and make the national capital the first corruption-free state of India."
As the six ministers enumerated their report card to the public, the CM outlined 11 focus areas of the government - electricity, water, education, health, women's safety, squatter settlements and slums, unauthorised colonies, anti-graft measures, pollution and tackling of price rise.
The AAP government was clear in its messaging, portraying its governance and government as corruption-free and the bid by the BJP-led Centre to thwart it as "encouraging the corrupt to thrive." Minister after minister reiterated they were engaged in a constant fight against corrupt practices.
Hours before, Kejriwal tweeted, "Today's HC judgement (is) a huge embarrassment for central government. HC also said that the latest (home ministry) notification is 'suspect'. The battle has only just begun."
