Kejriwal meets Naidu, demands full Delhi statehood

A day after leading his party to a landslide victory in the Delhi assembly polls, Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and discussed various issues with him including that of unauthorised colonies in the city and full statehood.

He was accompanied by party leader Manish Sisodia.

“We have discussed four big issues with the minister. Firstly, the issues of the poor such as compensation for them, we will need central government’s help in that. Secondly, the issue of unauthorised colonies on which the Centre recently passed a resolution. So in order to take it forward help will be needed from Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority and the Centre,” Sisodia told reporters after the meeting.

“We told him that for more schools, colleges, hospitals and parking, a lot of land will be needed so whatever land is available with DDA, we have requested for it.

“And lastly the issue of full statehood. We have been fully assured that without any political divide we will get their support,” he added.

The Union Minister congratulated Kejriwal and Sisodia on their victory and also reminded them of the responsibility on their shoulders.

“AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia met me and discussed about regularisation of unauthorised colonies and other land-related issues. I congratulated them on the victory and reminded them of the great responsibility on their shoulders,” Naidu said.

“I assured him that the Centre is willing to cooperate with the state and contribute to overall interest of people and development but the cooperation will depend on your operation. As the PM has given us guidance that we have to work as a team, we will help them as per the norms. If you perform well, we will extend all our support. There is no question of any political consideration whatsoever,” he said.

Kejriwal also extended an invitation to Naidu for the swearing-in ceremony on February 14 at Ramlila Maidan.

“He invited me but I have a prior commitment in Kolkata. I have a municipal commissioner’s meeting which was fixed a month back so I expressed my inability, otherwise I would have been happy to attend that,” said Naidu. 

Kejriwal is slated to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh later in the day.

Image: Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal with Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia meeting Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. Photograph: PTI