Kejriwal seeks 'working arrangement' with Modi

Because of Delhi's unique status, the city government enjoys limited powers, giving rise to major differences

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday called for a "working arrangement" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both lived in the same city.

"I accept the AAP government has major differences with the central government but there must be some working arrangement between the PM and the CM," Kejriwal said in his first Independence Day speech as the chief minister at the packed Chhatrasal Stadium.

Kejriwal continued to speak even as heavy rains lashed the venue, where hundreds of people -- from students to government officers -- had gathered to hear him.

"As both the chief minister of Delhi and the prime minister of the country live in the national capital, there should be a working arrangement between them for the welfare of the city and the people residing here," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.

This is why, he said, he tried to meet Modi but failed. "I tried to meet the prime minister over the issue but could not meet. I will again try to meet him."

Major differences have cropped up between the Delhi and the central governments since Kejriwal took power. Because of Delhi's unique status, the city government enjoys limited powers.

This has turned into a bone of contention between the Delhi government and Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, a central government appointee. Delhi Police reports to Jung, not to Kejriwal.

Kejriwal used the occasion to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for the country's freedom.

He said transparent and honest politics would be the best way to honour the martyrs.

"They made the supreme sacrifice by laying their lives for the nation. Was their dream of free India accomplished? India has progressed but the dreams of our freedom fighters and martyrs are yet to be fulfilled. For this we need transparent and honest politics.

"We were the first who came with the honest and transparent politics. So we got such a huge mandate," he said, referring to the sweeping victory of the AAP in the February assembly election. "We connected the politics with patriotism."