Colonial Cousins: Kejriwal & Vijayan?
A recent headline read: "Setback for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to NCT Delhi (Amendment) Bill". Let's give the present CM of Delhi the benefit of doubt, and not knock him out. He may be right. However, there's a difference — in the CM's chair and Mr Kejriwal's position as the supreme leader of the Aam Aadmi Party. Let's delve deeper. The 'disputed' bill will enhance the power of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) — that's what is said, and is the bone of contention. The Houses of India's Parliament, notably, had already passed the bill. It was cleared in Lok Sabha (lower house) on March 22 and Rajya Sabha (upper house) on March 24. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi has been against the National Capital Territory (NCT) Bill and its chief Arvind Kejriwal called it Bharatiya Janata Party's assault on democracy and federalism. The CM also took to his official Twitter account and rep