In an apparent attack on AAP dispensation over the demolition of jhuggis in Shakur Basti, former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit said "government is not run with ego" but as per requirements of the situation, as she pressed for better coordination between state and Centre.
Dixit said the demolition of jhuggis could have been done with better coordination between the Centre, state and other agencies at an "appropriate time".
"You don't run government with egos, you run them for the good of the people and requirements of a particular situation. So, if egos come in the way and you just put blame on everybody... I am sorry that is not the style that is followed in governance," she said without naming Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Her remarks came after Kejriwal's attack on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, whom he had called a "child".
During his visit to Shakur Basti, Gandhi had blamed the Centre and Delhi government for the demolition. "Whenever a slum is demolished, call Rahul Gandhi. He won't let this happen. We will try to help you. As you know we are not in the government, it is AAP's and BJP's government. But we will try to protect you, we will fight your battle," Gandhi had said.
Defending Gandhi for his comments, Dixit said, "Rahul ji has his heart with these poor people. So, the statement made by him is very good."
She said knowing the situation of Delhi, which is not a full state, there has be to better coordination between the Centre and the state government.
"If you don't coordinate, you will always end yourself in a situation like the recent removal of jhuggis from railway land. It is very cold in Delhi this time of the year. So, therefore, to remove them or throw them without giving them an alternative... I don't think its fair at all.
"I also learnt that a child has been killed in this. Kejriwal, the CM, and all should have sat down together and said alright we will do this, but this should have been done when time was appropriate," she said.
"It is difficult to place blame on somebody. Whosoever is
the CM or local government must first realise that Delhi is not a full state. It is a Union Territory. Therefore, there are many things it has to do in coordination with the Central government which is represented in Delhi by the LG.
"And Delhi is not just an ordinary city, its the capital of our country. So the style of functioning should really be for the benefit of the citizens of Delhi," she said.
Dixit said in cases like demolition of jhuggies, responsibility comes on the elected government and not other civic agencies.
"Responsibility invariably comes home... Because it is the government that people have elected, not DDA," she said.
The former Delhi CM said similar activities took place during her tenure but that was done at a "convenient time without leaving anyone roofless". She also put the onus on railways and other agencies, saying that they need to take care of their land and protect them from encroachment.
