Unlike Mumbai, the country's capital city does not have control over its land and police. For this reason, developing Delhi as a model city and putting it on the global map is a challenge for any party that comes to power here. Of the 70-point agenda framed by the AAP, only six come under the ambit of Central government. But these six are so important that its CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal came calling Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu and Home minister Rajnath Singh, raising the statehood issue.
Unlike Mumbai, the country's capital city does not have control over its land and police. For this reason, developing Delhi as a model city and putting it on the global map is a challenge for any party that comes to power here. Of the 70-point agenda framed by the AAP, only six come under the ambit of Central government. But these six are so important that its CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal came calling Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu and Home minister Rajnath Singh, raising the statehood issue.
The issue of statehood for Delhi is the most contentious of the six, as it would give state government control over the DDA, the MCD and the Delhi police. Naidu, however, evaded giving any clarity. "This issue has been discussed for several years but no consensus has emerged so far," he said.
The AAP attribute that to lack of will by the previous Congress and BJP governments in Delhi, adding that they will continue pushing for it.
AAP's promise of reviving the Yamuna will require the Centre's help in financing and in expertise, and any land development along the river will need DDA's sanctions.
Another problem could be AAP's plan in getting water from Munak canal in Haryana. Though AAP has said it will ensure that the High Court order allowing Delhi draw extra water is implemented, it could use the Centre's support for pushing the BJP government in Haryana to cooperate.
Similar cooperation will be needed by Delhi on resettlement of colonies and regularisation and transformation of unauthorised colonies. Since these are not planned colonies, and most have come up on forest or agricultural or ASI land, there are many objections to getting them regularised as opposed to demolition. The sanction can only be passed by the DDA through the Urban Development Ministry. Even changes in the Delhi Land Reform Act, crucial to AAP, considering the support the party got from Delhi's urban villages, will need Centre's help.
However, the brains in AAP who have put together this agenda have also identified many solutions, so as to show that they are practical. The home guards, the manifesto said will be deployed in buses for women's security, are under Delhi government's ambit. According to the party, they are wasted in current assignments as chauffeurs or as helps for politicians.
Importantly, AAP says it has already identified 200 acres of land lying vacant with the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, which can be developed for housing without any external interference or sanctions.
As for land for government schools and hospitals, party leaders say they expect a cooperative Centre, as the voter has already expressed its dissatisfaction with the BJP. After such loss of face, the NDA would not risk angering Delhi voters by hindering development of basic infrastructure, reckons AAP.
These projects will be expensive for Kejriwal to bear. He will have to prove just how innovative AAP's solutions can be, something they are already promising. At the most, he might have to ask the Centre for special assistance to bear the cost of setting up these schools or hospitals, etc.
It is clear that lessons have been learnt by the party. They know that governance and administrative abilities are expected from them, and fast. With expectations running high, the last thing the AAP can afford is not delivering on time.
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