JOIN USDelhi chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday met Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu asking for their help in getting full statehood to Delhi.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured Kejriwal of all possible Central help to the city government in the coming days, a senior Home Ministry official said. “Had a meeting with Delhi's CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal today (Wednesday). Assured him of all possible help from the Centre,” Singh tweeted after the meeting that lasted for 15 minutes. “We requested him for his support so that Delhi gets full state rights,” said AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who accompanied Kejriwal. Currently, law and order and land issues in the capital are controlled by the Centre through the Lieutenant Governor and an elected Delhi government has no say in such matters.
Sisodia said the AAP chief will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.
Previously, Kejriwal had sought an appointment with Modi, and had said that he wanted to invite him for his swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Ground on Saturday.
In his meeting with the Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, the CM-designate discussed various issues including that of unauthorised colonies in the city and full statehood.
“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,” Sisodia said.
“He assured us that the Centre will extend its full support for development of Delhi, without any political divide,” 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 told reporters.
“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,” he said.
The AAP leaders extended invitations to Naidu and Singh for the swearing-in ceremony this Valentine’s Day.