Inch by inch, word by word, clause by clause, the office of Lieutenant Governor is on collision course with the AAP Delhi Government. AAP proposes, LG disposes. The crass systemic stubbornness is making people impatient. Despite coming with the clearest mandate ever in history of Indian democracy in 2015 with 67 out of 70 seats to eradicate corruption and smoothen government services for the common people Aam Aadmi Party Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has since day one found resistance in doing so from the LG at the behest of the Prime Minister Office. Kejriwal despite being elected leader of the state he has to get each and everything which concerns Delhi passed by one nominated government servant – the office of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
It’s obvious that the BJP under Modi and Shah which only knows the taste and smell of victory was reduced to one digit figure in Delhi 2015 Assembly elections where it just managed to get 3 out of the 70 seats. Such was the AAPocalypse that Congress the oldest party run by scions of Gandhi family was reduced to Zero. For BJP and Congress this newest and fastest growing AAP became the real competition. From Congress and BJP ganging up in Delhi Vidhan Sabha in 2014 and saying “हम 40 है” – “We are 40” to oppose AAP when it tabled Lokpal to frivolous and misleading complaints to LG by Congress’ Ajay Maken to delay crucial AAP Government projects in 2017-2018; it’s crystal clear that they want AAP Governance to Fail.
Never has the office of LG gained so much prominence in public discourse and number of media mentions. Obviously previously appointees to office of LG were there for retirement & recreation.
In 2014, Arvind Kejriwal resigned when he wasn’t allowed to pass one law i.e. the Lokpal. Today in 2018 his government’s every law, policy and decision is rejected or delayed he has demonstrated remarkable calm and perseverance. And even if it gets nod the time difference between it’s introduction and passing is 2-3 years. Months and years of continuous fighting to get basic policy decisions given go ahead. He has displayed sheer resilience in the face of hurdles he encounters day after day for the Delhiite who call him ‘My CM’.
If LG and Maken have no faith in CCTVs let them first throw the CCTVs in and around their posh residencies (to recycling). Either each and every Delhiite will have CCTVs for their security or nobody including LG and Maken will have. CCTVs help counter terrorism, burglary and other crimes. According to AAP Government’s plan Bharat Electronics Limited or BEL was to supply 2000 CCTVs for every 70 Vidhan Sabhas in Delhi. That meant around 1,40,000 CCTVs gross Delhi. Neither does the BJP central Government appoints 66000 personnel which Delhi Police is short of nor do they let AAP Government install CCTVs via LG allover Delhi.
Strange but interestingly the official residence of Delhi LG Anil Baijal or ‘LG Niwas’ was built by the Britishers and was erstwhile named Ludlow Castle / ‘लड़ लो’ or Fight on Castle . No surprise in every LG is on collision course with the Delhi CM at the cost of people of Delhi.
One government at centre (BJP) which is letting go most its poll promises as Jumla vs One government in Delhi (AAP) which is fulfilling almost all of its promises. Which one gets resistance? The government in Delhi (AAP).
A search in English dictionary for the meaning of Lieutenant clears how LG should be. Lieutenant: a person who holds an office ‘in subordination to a superior for whom he or she acts’. Search further in Thesaurus and the synonyms : number two, assistant, aide clear the fuss further of what LG should act like.
Office of LG has in the past stopped salary of DCW employees and more run ins. Delhi Commission for Women DCW Chair Swati Maliwal sat on 10 day indefinite fast for stricter laws and conviction of Child Rapists. She has done a tremendous Job. Before that she steered Rape Roko or Stop Rapes movement. With whatever LG does my impression of him is quite simple. If Swati Maliwal fights for ‘Rape Roko’ office of LG under Najeeb Jung and now Anil Baijal stand, no, sit for ‘Kaam Roko’ or Stop Work of Delhi Government at the instructions of the PMO.
Exactly One year after the AAP Government had passed Delhi Electricity Compensation policy, LG could find the scant motivation to pass the policy. See how the Time flies! A ship circumnavigating the earth would complete first than the time LG takes to approve an AAP Delhi Govt policy.
Doorstep Delivery of Ration Scheme to benefit 70,00,000 of needy people in Delhi. To bring efficiency & eliminate corruption in PDS system: Stopped (LG says there will be more traffic and jams on Delhi roads). I would here especially request LG to first stop ordering food and grocery Apps which are so popular to his home. Let there be Equality and a level playing field. Teerth Yatra Scheme to benefit 1000 senior citizens from every 70 Delhi Vidhan Sabhas 70000 people in total: Stopped (LG wants only BPL families to benefit). Highly nutritious food in the Mid Day meals for Delhi kids through acclaimed Akshaya Patra Foundation: Stopped (While 8 other states including BJP run Maharashtra run this). A close look a the info graph shows the Outcome report of the LG. We must all see what good policy was going to be good for us and for how long LG has halted it. LG is denying benefits to citizens which is their right to receive.
So much nose poking or टोका टाकी. Office of LG is the bully which makes workplace(Governance) hell. I like everyone else who wants to get people’s work done but dread LG’s subversive Modus Operandi. Instead of being able to work on my dreams like making Delhi a Cycling City Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has to firefight every day to get poll promises fulfilled. Maybe the resistance from LG is helping him train for the top job. In comparison, it is not important whether some policies are passed or not it’s that which fight takes our time and at what cost.
When the youth of the country and Delhi wants to see India’s infrastructural marvels go viral on the Internet it has to grapple with the reality that the politicians/administrators like Delhi LG Anil Baijal waste elected government’s energy on getting basic ‘Doorstep Delivery of Ration’ schemes passed. If we are so occupied for so long with getting the basics right when we’ll do things as a nation which future generations will be proud of.
If LG was in time of Great and Beloved Emperor Ashoka he would had disallowed Ashoka to build Ashok pillars which had edicts and inscriptions of the teachings arguing “what’s the need people may learn about them at the nearest Gurukul!”.
BJP appointed LG’s weapon of choice is not the Pen ? to sign and approve the pro-people policies but the Scissors ✂️ which cut through the hard drafted will of people. In democracy people are supreme. What the LG does is that he cuts off the new leaves growing on a plant. In an ill willed strategy that the plant won’t grow beyond a certain level. That it will have fewer leaves to do lesser photosynthesis. Keep AAP busy in the skirmishes of Delhi and devoid the entire nation of an alternative which does real governance of making educated & prosperous citizens, building education, health and other public infrastructure.
There has been exemplary display of energy from all sides. Everyone is involved and vouching vociferously one opinion or the other. It would be history making trend if we could instead of jarring and fighting amongst ourselves work together so that India wins in every field & its success story and influence disseminates across the World and beyond.