INDIA
Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi CM, speaks out on CWG, Nirbhaya gang-rape, and the India Against Corruption movement
Sheila Dikshit, who served as Delhi Chief Minister for three terms has revealed that her government had a lot of differences in opinion with the Manmohan Singh-led UPA at the Centre, including the handling of the Commonwealth Games and its subsequent allegations.
In her autobiography “Citizen Delhi: My Times, My Life” published by Bloomsbury, the 79-year-old Dikshit has termed the decision to set up Shunglu committee (that indicted her) to probe CWG irregularties as “abrupt” and has drawn parallels with the Centre’s response to Asiad Games held in 1982 when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister to buttress her argument that the delay in the Games happened due to lack of a clear chain of command
She has talked at length about the inter-party rivalry in Congress, especially during her third and last term in the government, saying many of such elements were associated with the central government.
Dikshit also talks at length over the reasons for the failure of the Bus Rapid Transit corridor and rising crimes against women including the Nirbhya gang-rape cum murder case of 2012 in which she suggests that the then Home Ministry headed by Sushil Kumar Shinde did not deliberately act in time to undo a perception of the government doing nothing so that the spotlight remains on Delhi government and not on Centre.
Excerpts from the book
What was needed was decisive political management, but the Centre ended up looking tentative. One image of senior Congress ministers going to the airport to receive Baba Ramdev, when the Anna camp had upped the ante, revealed the Centre’s vulnerability before the entire nation.
To tell the truth, it was not always smooth going between our government and the Centre. I doubt if anyone remembered how my repeated demands for greater statehood for Delhi fell on deaf ears, or how difficult it was for my government to push through the reform of splitting the MCD into smaller and manageable units. Party members rose against the proposed move, among them were many who had supporters at the Centre.
Although we had started our third term on a high note, most of my time had been taken up by fire fighting operations. That and the climate of suspicion that had been created around every move of ours brought me to a point where I was reluctant to continue as Chief Minister.
Around that same time, there were rumours that I might get a berth in the Union Cabinet. Some senior leaders went so far as to indicate the Home Ministry portfolio, but I dismissed such talk as I had no official communication to the effect. A long meeting with Sonia Gandhi in July had the rumour mills churning.
As for myself, I was looking for something new, a larger canvas perhaps. At that juncture, I did feel that I could have been of greater use at the Centre than as Chief Minister. However, it was the then Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who was moved to the Home Ministry. The fact that his elevation, which was perceived as a reward, came out on the heels of a blackout in larger parts of India in the second half of 2012, dented the image of Congress.
Even as there continued to be debates about the benefits that hosting international sports events can bring for the host nation, my point was simple—in 2003, the NDA government had won its bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, so there was no going back now.
The bulk of the responsibilities lay with the Government of India and bodies such as the Commonwealth Games Federation, Indian Olympic- Association, Indian Olympic Association and the Organising Committee of CWG.
There was just one problem, though—almost two-thirds of all projects were running behind schedule as of January 2009. The Delhi government needed to know how many countries were participating, how many events there were, which sporting venues would be used for the Games and which ones for training, and which hotels would be earmarked for visiting delegates. These details would determine the areas that required road-widening, over-passes and underpasses, and street-scaping. This important information was made available to the Delhi government only by late 2009, leaving so many things to the eleventh hour. My anxiety was on the rise. I felt a sense of ownership about all the projects whether they were our direct responsibility or not. Knowing that people saw me as the face of Delhi and ultimately associate any misstep anywhere with our government, I decided to contribute any which way I could. Besides, how could we tell the International Community or even our own people for that matter, that we had coordination issues or delays due to one reason or the other? In their eyes, I was the Chief Minister of Delhi.
In part, the delays were due to lack of a clear chain of command. I had seen the work that had gone into the preparations for the Asian Games of 1982, which triggered the first real transformation of Delhi. At that time the PMO was clearly in charge. It was monitoring the entire effort, led by Indira Gandhi, who was personally invested in the event.
This time it was different. There was no unified command overseeing the entire effort or even in the know of the larger picture and details at the same time. The Union Sports Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, like his predecessor, the late Sunil Dutt, had made it clear that he was in principle opposed to such mammoth events and so was a reluctant participant. The PMO too held back.
Soon the Games were over. The PMO constituted the Shuglu Committee to examine and investigate the alleged irregularities of the CWG. I was saddened by the abruptness of the step. An event that ultimately had had so many proud moments had become a contentious issue through and through. There had been no opportunity even to have an assessment of the Games, discuss the lessons learnt regarding the skills and technology or even the kind of tendering process that mega events such as these demanded. Yes it was imperative to find out if any irregularities were committed , but before that it was only proper to acknowledge the hard work put in by an army of honest and sincere volunteers, staffs and officials, who saw to it that the Games went off without a hitch.
In 1982, following the Asiad, the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, momentarily put aside the errors, faults and delays to acknowledge those who had managed the event. This did not happen in 2010. As for the Press, it had got the story it wanted.
What came through clearly in all the heated battles fought on and off the television screen was the fact that the credibility of our party, the central as well as the Delhi government, had eroded. Anything to do with the Centre and our government was automatically suspect.
I felt it was time for me to step away from electoral politics. My decision to resign was almost certain. Moreover, with a year to go for the assembly election, the party had enough time to find an alternative. I was ready to campaign if required. As I slowly recovered my strength and prepared to inform the high command of my decision to step down, Delhi and India was shaken to its core on 16 December (Nirbhaya gang rape)
While people of all ages took to the streets and held candle light vigils, their anger and anguish palpable in their eyes, our government appeared non-responsive. Even as I quietly reached out to Nirbhaya’s family to extend them every possible help, my statement that law and order did not fall within our government’s jurisdiction was viewed as being an insensitive attempt at passing the buck.
What should have been a moment for me to take charge of the situation was reduced to a moment of extreme frustration for the simple reason that law and order in Delhi was the Centre’s responsibility. Had the Union Home Ministry responded with urgency and addressed the Delhi police, the people would have realized whose call it was to initiate action and would have seen the concern expressed by the government. The Centre’s unresponsive stance immediately after the incident seemed deliberate as it shifted the focus entirely on the Delhi government.
At that juncture, like many other issues, this tragedy, too, was politicised for leverage and many a tear shed over the plight of women. However, that empathy for women has never found a corresponding echo in political parties when it comes to underrepresentation of women in Parliament.
All of a sudden, residents of parts of South, North and East Delhi were startled out of their wits to get huge power bills that were totally disproportionate to their usage from the Reliance-run power utility.
It was the chink the dissidents were looking for. They accused our government of corruption, of favouring the private power company in question by trying to increase power prices and provide more subsidy sops to it…
The anger of the citizens was understandable. What distressed me was the spin that the dissidents were giving to the matter. It is far easier to politicise a matter, however, as many of my associates within the party did
It was a harsh summer in more ways than one. One day I woke up knowing exactly what to do. I sent in my resignation to Mrs Sonia Gandhi, indicating that the party politics was becoming too much. I did not get a response from her, but Ahmed Patel, adviser to the Congress President, came to meet me about the letter I had written to Soniaji.
I replied, ‘What do you expect me to do, when I am harassed like this? I don’t want the Chief Minister’s position. I am not wedded to power. I am prepared to work. If there are complaints of corruption and what not against me, let them be investigated; but I am not willing to be subjected to this crude harassment.’ Upon which Ahmedji said, ‘Your presence is essential to making this government work. Soniaji is not ready to accept your resignation and has asked me to communicate this to you.
Tejasswi Prakash reveals why she joined Celebrity MasterChef: 'I am obsessed with...'
Delhi-NCR schools holiday: Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, schools closed tomorrow due to...
'We can teach children AI but...': Sudha Murty urges govt to provide funds to schools to promote...
THIS startup gives whopping bonus to employees for loyalty, they get Rs...
JEE Main 2025 Toppers List Released: Meet 14 candidates who scored 100 percentile this year
JEE Main Result 2025 DECLARED: Get direct link, steps to check NTA score and other details HERE
SHOCKING! Noida family held under ‘digital arrest’ for 5 days, loses Rs 1 crore to cyber fraud
Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna shoot for Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar in Mumbai, pictures get leaked
Why are hobby classes integral to Podar International School’s curriculum in Khopoli?
Mukesh Ambani buys Rs 6437604000 stake in THIS cricket team, not Mumbai Indians
World's richest man Elon Musk loses Rs 789330000000 in four days, net worth slips below Rs...
'Need global standards': PM Modi pushes for AI governance at Paris AI Summit
Ashutosh Rana slams Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan-starrer Adipurush: 'Audiences will not accept...'
Ahead of PM Modi-Donald Trump meet, India considers cutting tariffs on THESE items imported from US
Communication platforms are fast evolving into super apps
Mumbai Police reaches Ranveer Allahbadia's home in connection to India's Got Latent controversy
Junaid Khan says Aamir Khan, Reena Dutta spent ‘ridongculous’ amount on his...
Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant's warm gesture towards kid wins internet, watch viral video
Ajith Kumar recalls 'bad crash’ ahead of Portugal race: ‘When I crashed...'
India's Got Latent episode feat Ranveer Allahbadia blocked after government orders
Samay Raina performs in Seattle, enjoys with friends amid Ranveer Allahbadia controversy
Good news for Gautam Adani as Adani stocks rally up to 4.5% due to Donald Trump's this BIG move...
Amid rumours of dissent, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal holds meeting with Punjab CM Mann, MLAs in Delhi
Woman makes 'Valentine edition parantha' for husband, netizens amused, watch viral video
How cashless treatment and telemedicine are transforming health insurance plans in India?
Top 3 astrologers of India: Newly updated list of 2025
A complete guide to documents needed for a personal loan
Mitolyn Reviews and Complaints - Mitolyn Supplement - Mitolyn Reviews Consumer Reports
Muslim wedding card goes viral for THIS bizarre reason, leaves netizens amused, check here
Surat: School students parade luxury cars to celebrate farewell, probe underway, watch viral video
Elon Musk offers this huge amount to buy ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Sam Altman says 'no thank you but...'
Pune: Pakistani currency note found in housing society near National Defence Academy; probe on
YouTube removes Ranveer Allahbadia's controversial video after Modi government's notice
Here's why Not Like Us singer Kendrick Lamar won't get paid for Super Bowl Halftime Show performance
Meet Samay Raina, creator of India's Got Latent, accused of promoting vulgarity, he is from...
Bank Holiday February 2025: Banks to remain closed in THIS state today due to...
Donald Trump issues BIG warning to Hamas, says 'all hell will break out' if...
Anil Ambani's RCap buy: Hinduja Group firm set to acquire debt-ridden Reliance Capital by THIS date
Meet man, MBA graduate from Harvard, who leads one of world’s big tech firms as CEO, he is...
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway opens, check travel time, toll fee and more
What happens during Snow Moon and when does it appear? Check dates and when to see
‘RBI’s gold buying is...’: FM Nirmala Sitharaman talks about rising gold reserves by central bank
Meet the Muslim king all set to challenge Donald Trump over Gaza, he is from...
Ranveer Allahbadia’s viral joke on Samay Raina's India's Got Latent was stolen! The original was...
THIS Indian billionaire carries coffin of his employee, netizens call him ‘true leader’
Days after Jeet Adani-Diva Shah's marriage, Gautam Adani set to spend Rs 6000 crore on...
'Please let me stay the night:' Female trainee asked to leave Infosys premises at 6 pm even after...
Auto driver’s son studies at IIT, but luxury hotel refuses his auto's entry, billionaire calls it...
Who is Kuldeep Sharma? Ex-IPS gets three-month jail term in...
Meet woman, who lived in village, later got job at Amazon, now working in US as...
Beef Biryani Row Explained: Police file FIR day after incident at AMU; here's what happened
Meet Anant Ahuja, Sonam Kapoor's brother-in-law who reportedly got Rs 6.56 cr by USAID
BIG move by Mukesh Ambani, launches Rs 10 product with former cricket star, it is...
Car gets stuck in wheat field in the dead of night, know what Google Maps error caused later