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NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi party chief Arvind Kejriwal with his right hand man Manish Sisodia by his side has become a familiar figure in Delhi’s corridors of power having met everyone from President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh to key bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary. In the process the party has been able to emphasise its commitment to eradicating corruption, as the first priority in its agenda.
In what will constitute a major move AAP plans to appoint whistle blower Sanjiv Chaturvedi as the head of its anti-corruption bureau. Chaturvedi was removed by the Modi government as the vigilance chief of AIIMS hospital just a few months ago, in August, for what AAP had even then maintained was an effort by him to expose rank corruption in the medical institute. Sisodia went on record saying, “Sanjiv Chaturvedi is a very honest officer and it will be great if he joins."
Chaturvedi had reportedly initiated several investigations during his two years at the premier hospital. These included cases of a officials dog being operated at the AIIMS cancer centre, and of foreign junkets by officials without reason.
Chaturvedi’s sudden sacking had evoked a strong reaction within and outside AIIMS. At least 200 faculty members and researchers had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his reinstatement but were ignored. AAP had carried out a protest outside, with Chaturvedi’s dismissal being seen as a victory of the corrupt within the Institute. His reinstatement by the new Delhi government will go a long way in strengthening the fight against corruption, AAP cadres said with some glee.
The Delhi government will also introduce the Janlokpal Bill that is now expected to sail through without any opposition in the Assembly. This was the same Bill on which Kejriwal had resigned when it was opposed jointly by the BJP and the Congress parties at the time.
The Bill will not face any problems in the Delhi Assembly but will need to be ratified by the central government. Sisodia said that the AAP government will look into the objections as and when these emerged. “There is a new (central) government in power now,” he said.
Corruption remained the theme of AAP’s first meetings and decision. The Janlokpal Bill provides for time bound investigation on corruption cases, and brings the Chief Minister, ministers, legislators and bureaucrats under its purview.
A new section in 2014 Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill in the AAP’s manifesto reads, “Public officials of Delhi will be required to furnish an annual declaration of assets. Any undeclared assets will be liable for confiscation.”
The new government will revive the anti-corruption hotline in Delhi that did not survive Kejriwal’s resignation the last time around. Reports suggest that at least 3000 complaints are pending action. The helpline functioned through a call centre of 15 graduates in the Chief Ministers office.
