Arvind Kejriwal completes 100 stormy days in office

Embroiled in a tug-of-war with the Centre over the statehood issue, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday observed his 100th day in office by convening a public meeting of his Cabinet.

Hundred days of Kejriwal, who fought against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi during the Lok Sabha elections, coincided with the BJP’s one-year in power. Coincidentally, both the Prime Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister had decided to interact directly with the people to mark the occasion. Modi was in Mathura recounting his government’s achievements in the last one year while Kejriwal presented his report card to the people of Delhi. But before he recalled his achievements, Kejriwal touched upon the contentious notification issued by the Home Ministry last week. In the notification, the Home Ministry had supported all the moves recently made by the Lieutenant Governor Najib Jung. The notification says that the LG will have jurisdiction over matters connected with services, public order, police and land and he may consult with the Chief Minister whenever he thinks necessary in issues of services using his own “discretion”.

But Kejriwal has asserted that the real issue with the Centre’s notification was not just transfer/postings but also the clause that specifies that the Anti-Corruption Branch set up by the State government would not take cognisance of offences against Union government officers and ministers.

The CM secured a victory over the Centre on this issue on Monday with the Delhi High Court ruling that the Anti-Corruption Branch has the jurisdiction to arrest policemen. Kejriwal hailed it as a vindication of his stand. “Delhi High Court’s order gives a boost to our position,” he told people at his public Cabinet meeting.

Kejriwal then went on to recount his government’s achievements in the last 100 days.

“At traffic signals, people tell me that their electricity bills have come down. We have improved services at the government hospitals. Eighty five per cent medicines are now available and we will ensure that the availability will soon be 100 per cent. We will increase the bed strength in government hospitals from 10,000 to 20,000,” Kejriwal told people.