Delhi can't benefit by being run from Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar: Kiran Bedi
'He has resources, technology and mass appeal backing him. So why not an alignment with such a central government?' Bedi told MAIL TODAY.
Former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi ruled herself out of the race to become the chief minister in Delhi, but dropped enough hints of her support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while saying that the people must decide to vote for a "stable alignment with the Centre."
"(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is taking care of Delhi. 'Swachh Bharat' mission is just one indicator. The prime minister took over from where our agitation for clean governance and corruption-free India began in Ramlila Maidan? He assured a stable and clean leadership and I haven't heard about corruption in the last five months even as deals worth millions of dollars and key projects have been finalised in this period. Modi clearly said, 'Na khaonga, na khane doonga' (Won't take bribes, won't let others take bribes either). He has a vision. He has resources, technology and mass appeal backing him? So why not an alignment with such a central government?'' Bedi told MAIL TODAY.
SWIPE AT AAP
"I am saying this as a Delhiite and as a voter that Delhi cannot keep on hurting the Central government,'' she asserted.
Bedi, a former ally of Arvind Kejriwal, indirectly took a swipe at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in this regard.
"Delhi cannot benefit by being run from the Ramlila Maidan and Jantar Mantar? You cannot have Delhi fighting the Centre...," the social activist said.
Kejriwal and Bedi, allies in veteran activist Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, had parted ways two years ago after the former decided to take the plunge in electoral politics.
She cited the cordial ties which former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit shared with the UPA government to emphasise her point of having good links with the Centre.
"Dikshit's long run was because she had a strong support from the central government? Delhi doesn't generate enough revenue. Its entire civic governance through municipal bodies, policing and development through the DDA are subject to the Centre's nod. Can we afford to ignore this? We don't have even our own state budget to support the Delhi Police,'' Bedi said.
'DELHI SUFFERS'
Without naming the AAP leadership, the activist said that Delhi had to bear enough difficulties in the last one year.
"Delhiites have suffered a lot since the code of conduct came into force in October 2013? Delhi has to choose between 'agitational city' and 'progressive city' tags,'' she said.
The BJP state leadership must seize the opportunity after the Maharashtra and Haryana election results to make headway in Delhi, Bedi said.
"Else youths will be disenchanted with the ongoing political instability."
"Not at all. I do not run political races? Had I run one, I would have been Delhi's Police Commissioner,'' Bedi said, responding to a question on her chances of becoming the chief minister of Delhi.
"As a voter, I feel Delhi needs an educated leadership. Someone who is a visionary, analytical, clean and must have a positive outlook. Development should be the agenda... Is there a university for North-West Delhi? No. Is there any polytechnic institute for youths in Outer Delhi? Delhi has extended and needs a homogeneous planning,'' she said on her choice of the new chief minister.