Arvind Kejriwal gives Congress its first shock

New Delhi: In a major step, which could have long-term political implications, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has changed the vigilance head of the Delhi government’s anti-corruption branch. The move has created a flutter in the Congress camp as some corruption cases and scams during Sheila Dikshit’s 15-year-old regime were pending before the vigilance branch.

Kejriwal is also all set to appoint Madhya Pradesh ex-chief secretary S.C. Behera to  provide key inputs for drafting the anti-corruption jan lokpal bill. The draft bill will be made public from Ramlila Maidan, from where the AAP founder had taken the oath of chief minister.

Some Congress leaders said that Kejriwal’s move was just political as he was simply trying to scare the party leadership for not speaking against his government.

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Kejriwal’s minority government enjoys the support of eight Congress legislators. “Kejriwal is sending us a message that if we withdraw support to him, he will take action against our leaders,” a former Delhi minister said.

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In his one-hour, closed-door meeting with his ministers, senior officers of the vigilance department and the Delhi police, Mr Kejriwal made it clear that his government will go all-out to catch the corrupt in the city administration. 

He even instructed his team that they should not get influenced by anyone while investigating corruption cases. Among the top officers present were Delhi’s new vigilance head Kailash Chander, his secretary Rajender Kumar, reti­red joint secretary V.K. Mittal and senior police officer G.C. Dwivedi.

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