Kejriwal raises full-statehood issue with Centre

A day after recording a landslide electoral victory, Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today got down to business, pitching for full statehood for Delhi and regularisation of unauthorised colonies in separate meetings with Union ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Rajnath Singh.
In both the meetings, Kejriwal, accompanied by senior party leader Manish Sisodia, emphasised the need for granting full statehood to Delhi, saying it will help in ensuring proper coordination among various agencies and end the problem of multiplicity of authorities.
In his meeting with Home Minister Singh, Kejriwal underlined the need for "constructive cooperation" between the Centre and the Delhi government and noted that political differences should not come in way of taking the city forward.

"We want constructive and healthy relationship with centre. Explained to both of them that full statehood for Delhi was necessary to meet people's expectations," Kejriwal tweeted.
He also invited Singh and Urban Development Minister Naidu to his oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Grounds on February 14.
Strongly favouring granting of full statehood to Delhi, Kejriwal conveyed to the two ministers that it was an assurance given by even BJP in its assembly election manifesto in 2013.

"We discussed the topic of statehood as many issues will find its way if Delhi is granted full statehood. Both AAP and BJP had promised it in their election manifestos.

"As there is a BJP government at the Centre with full majority and an AAP government is being formed in Delhi, there should not be any problem in fulfilling the promise. This will be the best thing for Delhi," Sisodia told reporters after meeting the Home Minister.
Both Home and Urban Development ministries play key role in functioning of Delhi government. While Delhi Police comes under Home Ministry, issues relating to land and building come under UD Ministry.
In the meeting with Naidu, Kejriwal sought regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the city.