Full statehood not possible: Sheila

After flying the statehood-for-Delhi flag for years, the Congress on Monday backtracked on the demand. Releasing the party8217;s manifesto for the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit put in plain and simple words: 8220;We would want to put an end to multiplicity of powers in the Capital. But full statehood is not possible.8221;

Outlining the Congress8217;s agenda to keep its promise of development if elected for a third term, Dikshit said: 8220;We have learnt from our experience over the last 10 years that Delhi cannot be granted full statehood because of the presence of the Central government in the city. We would instead ask for a 8216;special8217; status and ask for more rights, such as bringing the municipal corporation and the DDA directly under the Delhi government8217;s control.8221;

She said along with its demand for 8220;special status8221; for Delhi, the party would also demand a say in maintaining law and order and administration of Delhi Police.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J P Aggarwal said, 8220;We want special status mainly to ensure that all development funds are under one head and are spent effectively.8221;

Member of Parliament from New Delhi constituency Ajay Maken, seen as Dikshit8217;s bete noire, was the only Congress MP absent from the event. Other MPs 8212; Krishna Tirath, Kapil Sibal, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar 8212; were present to show a united front.

Besides going soft on the demand for complete statehood, the manifesto mainly presents a track record of the Dikshit government8217;s efforts over two terms. 8220;The Delhi Metro is being expanded to reach every part of the city, and Delhi is perhaps the first city to have air-conditioned public transport buses in the country,8221; the chief minister said. 8220;We will also have more low-floor buses by 2010.8221;

She stressed that the 2010 Commonwealth Games would be given priority once infrastructure projects are completed.

Reacting to BJP8217;s 8216;chargesheet8217; issued last week against her administration, Dikshit said the government has introduced better efficiency and transparency in governance and will continue doing so. 8220;We have worked towards empowering women by introducing the Ladli scheme,8221; she said. 8220;Each girl registered under this scheme is entitled to get Rs 1 lakh after she passes Class XII.8221;

Dikshit said her party has committed to building another 4 lakh to 5 lakh homes for the urban poor in next four years.