Areas Of Conflict

Demanding action against a few errant Delhi policemen, Arvind Kejriwal and his colleagues had spent a chilly night on the pavements outside the central secretariat in January last year.

The demand followed the midnight raid by Delhi’s law minister Somnath Bharti on alleged African drug peddlers (will he get the same portfolio again?).

Memories of those heady days will keep haunting both AAP and the BJP as they try to walk on a minefield and negotiate a new working relationship between the Centre and the state. Here are a few of the more contentious issues and/or potential areas of conflict.

• Full Statehood
  Delhi Assembly does not represent NCR’s four other cities. The area it represents is run by four municipal corporations, a Cantonment Board and a defunct NCR Board. BJP had promised full statehood to Delhi in both 2001-03 and 2013.

• Delhi Police
  The UPA retained control over Delhi Police, which reports to Union Home ministry despite former CM Sheila Dikshit pleading for control. Delhi Police too is likely to resist the proposal. Forming an auxiliary force appears as the only alternative.

• The Union budget
  While it is already late, AAP will expect involvement in budgetary provisions for Delhi. Lack of consultation or perceived neglect of the people’s concerns would be a potential area of conflict between AAP-led Delhi and BJP-led Centre.

• Municipal Corporations
  The three elected municipal corporations are controlled by BJP and councillors are from BJP, Congress and others. They control and deliver services, and relations with the new government could have a bearing on AAP’s initial performance.

• Legislations
  Since Delhi is not a full state, legislations passed by its assembly are subject to the Lieutenant Governor’s approval and thus, the Centre. There is no prescribed time limit for the LG approving or rejecting legislation like Janlokpal, service delivery.

• Power & Water
  Delhi is heavily dependent on other states for power and water. AAP has to negotiate with an independent power regulator for power tariff and budgetary restrictions by Centre for water infrastructure while fulfilling its promises.

• Abolition Of Contract Labour
  A pro-industry central government and central laws may obstruct AAP’s proposed relief for contract workers. Contract labourers in central government projects, railways and construction workers will expect similar laws and similar treatment.

• New Politics
  AAP seeks to ‘change the political system’ and devolve power and responsibility to people through ‘mohalla sabhas’. Without full statehood, it is unlikely to make much headway and face legislative conflict and enforcement issues.

• Drug Pricing
  AAP has committed to providing affordable, quality medicine to all. With the Centre diluting the mandate of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, AAP may have to resort to the streets to oppose that drug pricing policy.

• Miscellaneous
  AAP’s promise to provide free wi-fi, ending VIP culture in the city, improving government schools, adding new hospital beds and health centres, public toilets etc will first require the cooperation of the Union government.