Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain today said the capital's existing administrative system renders him "helpless" and warned the BJP-ruled Centre not to "play" with Delhi's aspirations of full-statehood.
Jain rued that he would not be able to put an end to bribery in the ranks of Delhi police "even if I want to" and accused top cop B S Bassi of behaving like a "party spokesperson".
According to the minister, the city government would be able to handle law and order more effectively which was not possible under the current arrangement where the Union Home Ministry is entrusted with the responsibility.
"Why don't you (Centre) hand over the police to us? The system has been made to make me helpless. Delhi's Home Minister does not even have the power to put an end to bribery in police from tomorrow even if he wants. People of Delhi have given us the mandate, now the Centre should give us statehood and desist from playing with the aspirations of people," he said.
Jain, who has emerged as one of the most influential voices in the AAP government, made the remarks during an interaction with the media at the Indian Women's Press Corps here.
"Through which agency will you ensure women's safety when the Delhi police commissioner talks like the spokesperson of a party? Where else has a police commissioner invited the Chief Minister to a public debate?" Jain asked.
The Minister, who also holds the Health portfolio, claimed that political parties across the spectrum were against the formation of a strong and independent Lokpal as it would hurt "entrenched and vested interests."
"Please hand over the Anti-Corruption Branch to us. Union Home Minister needs to look after so many things including paramilitary, intelligence. Where does he have the time to look after Delhi Police? Keep NDMC area with you and hand over the rest to us," Jain demanded.
