After months of bitter power tussle with the Modi dispensation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday pitched for "synergy" between the Centre and the city government in his Independence Day speech, saying a cooperative approach was key for development while insisting that "differences" are healthy in a democracy. In his 40-minute-long speech, Kejriwal ran through the AAP government's "unprecedented" achievements in its first six months, mainly in social sectors and in curbing corruption, saying Delhi has an "honest chief minister, ministers and officials".
"I have political differences with Modiji. But differences are healthy in a democracy, it's a good thing to have differences. But it is important to have synergy between the two as well. Such cooperative arrangements are needed for development. Since we are running governments, we should have a working arrangement irrespective of our major ideological differences," he said at the fag end of his address after unfurling the tricolour.
Referring to distributing of compensation to victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Chief Minister showered lavish praise on Home Minister Rajnath Singh saying he wholeheartedly cooperated with his government on the issue.
"Cheques will be distributed soon and I want the first cheque to be handed over by Rajnath Singhji. He has assured us that the money for it will be given by Centre," he said adding Rs five lakh each will be given to families of the victims.
Interestingly, he did not refer to the acrimony between the city government and the Lt Governor due to the ongoing power tussle over issues of administrative jurisdiction among others. At the function held at Chhatrasal stadium, he also took salute of contingents comprising personnel from Delhi Police, Delhi Home Guards, Civil Defence, NCC and Delhi Fire Services before.
Referring to power tariff slash, which he said has eased the life of the common man considerably, he said cost may further come down and that the capital was "power surplus". "Power is being bought at Rs 5/unit in Delhi at the moment. Many companies have offered us Rs 2.5/3 per unit in 5 year agreements. But previous governments have entered into 30-year-long agreements. I urge Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal to cancel those agreements," he said.
