Delhi govt will double the speed of development: BJP leader Raj Kumar Bhatia

Emphasising that the development taking place in Delhi should be visible through the eyes of its people,  Delhi BJP vice-president and MLA from Adarsh Nagar, Raj Kumar Bhatia, said the BJP dispensation will make the city clean and beautiful and act tough, if necessary, to make it a ship-shaped capital.

After 27 years, the BJP has formed a government in the national capital of India, Delhi, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Bhatia said the people are hopeful that the “double engine” government will double the speed of vikas (development) in the city. The five-month-old state government has to figure out major challenges and act swiftly.

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In an interview with The Statesman, Bhatia spoke about major issues and gave insights into the Delhi government’s functioning.

Following is the text of the interview:

Q. The BJP is in power in Delhi. What challenges are you encountering in governance?

A. We are in power today because of long, hard work by the party cadres. It has been five months since we formed the government. Everyone can see the pace at which we are working. People can see that work is being done. Ms Rekha Gupta, along with her MLAs, is setting new benchmarks. It will take time to make things right.

Q. How do you assess the Aam Aadmi Party’s performance over the past 10 years of governance?

A. It was a nightmare for the people of the national capital. After coming to power, we have noticed that nothing has been done in the past.

Q. Delhi has experienced both Congress and AAP governments. In your view, which performed better? And what improvements does the BJP promise to bring?

A. In Delhi, under (former Congress CM) Sheila Dikshit, work was done, but the government got involved in corruption. Both governments in the past had plenty of opportunities to work, but they didn’t work. At present, we are in power and setting new standards for good governance.

Q. How significant is the issue of encroachment in Delhi?

A. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has clearly said that we have to make Delhi clean and better for people. Even if we have to act tough, we will. The aim is to make Delhi ship-shaped.

Q. What about those who will be displaced?

A. They are being taken care of. We are providing flats for those living in shanties.

Q. What is your take on the ban on old vehicles in Delhi?

A. A review of the old vehicle ban in the national capital is being done. The Delhi government will make a good decision, and the public will get relief.

Q. Who will be the next president of the BJP in Delhi?

A. That is up to the party to decide. (Delhi BJP president) Virendra Sachdeva ji has done a fine job, and no one can deny that. As far as I’m concerned, I will fulfill whatever job I am assigned.

Q. In the coming five years, what will be the priorities of the Delhi government?

A. The vision with which our government is moving forward, I think that five years of work will be finished in three years. Delhi will be clean, the air in Delhi will be pure, and the Yamuna River will be clean.

In Delhi, new dimensions of various skill development will open, and new technical universities will open. You will witness the speed at which the Delhi government will work. I don’t want you to see through my eyes. I want whatever development happens to be visible through the eyes of the people of Delhi.

Q. Nowadays, privatisation of schools and colleges is taking place. Most parents can’t afford such a costly education for their children. Is the BJP government in Delhi doing something to make government schools and colleges better?

A. In our government in Delhi, no one has said that we are moving towards privatisation. Even private institutions in Delhi are streamlined by the state government. People of Delhi need not worry about this.