Sahib, Delhi aur scandals

During the nearly two years he has been in office, Verma has donned the role of a fire-fighter more effectively than that of the CM. Problems for him stem not from his political opponents but from his own colleagues in the party and his close relatives. While the dominant group among the BJP legislators owing allegiance to Khurana spare no effort aimed at his ouster, his relatives, especially his nephews, frequently dominate the headlines for their nefarious activities. And Verma spends quite a bit of his energy clearing his name. Rivalries within the BJP in Delhi have been so sharp that attempts at patching up seem to be doomed to failure. After Khurana’s name was cleared in the hawala case, Verma drove to Khurana’s Moti Nagar residence for dinner. Far from relaxing the tension between the two, the dinner seemed to have made things worse. Rumours abounded of how Verma grabbed a plate and had his fill without so much as waiting to be served.

With so much going on on the sidelines, the main tasks of the government have been ignored. The metro rail project, touted with much fanfare, has been so far executed to the extent that the organisation has an office and managing director. Khurana had promised three years ago that at least five kilometres of overhead rail system would become operational in a year’s time. BJP’s poll promise of regularisation of unapproved colonies remains unfulfilled. Verma attributes the delay to a court case. Another election promise of permitting a third floor in residential properties has not been implemented despite the Malhotra Committee’s recommendation. House owners complain that getting house plans sanctioned has become more cumbersome contrary to the ruling party’s announcement that it would be made simpler and easier.

Verma had announced that an expressway will become operational in Delhi by October 2 but now he says the delay was due to the Delhi Development Authority which is not under his government.

However, one promise that Verma has kept is the huge hike in compensation for land acquired in rural areas. This, of course, he did at an accelerated pace because in rural Delhi lies his vote bank. The Lokayukta appointed by Delhi government is yet to acquire a full-fledged office and staff.