Thread by @Raja_Sw

Ok, I'm going to tweet abt a topic that has been bothering me ever since Delhi was given special status as a State in 1991, with its own Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers, ostensibly to "recognise its growing population deserved to elect its own representatives". 1/n

This is one of those typical jugaads Indians are good at.
They want to SOMEHOW come up with a solution, while either not thinking it through, or deliberately ensuring they don't lose control.
Cos NO POLITICIAN WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL. 2/n

So we have this hotch-potch where you ostensibly have "empowered" people by letting them choose their own representatives in Delhi.
Yaaay!
And yet, you have retained the most valuable (for YOU) powers - ie control over law & order (police), land and services.
Crooks!

Land is one of the most valuable assets in India.
That too in a place like Delhi.
Politicians can amass thousands of crores if they control land.
So if you're Central Govt, why would you hand over any control over land to the State Govt of Delhi? 4/n

Law & Order, basically Delhi Police.
Pre-1991, Central Govt had Delhi Police under its control.
You think it was going to give up control over Police?
They are the biggest reason a politician is able to do all the questionable stuff he does, and get away with it. 5/n

Services.
Pre-1991, postings were under LG.
Post-1991, also Services are kept under LG.
Waah!
An elected Govt has no say in appointments & other services terms?
The very idea is preposterous.
But ok, this is India.
Kuchh bhi bol ke justify kar sakte hain.
6/n

Oh, I'm sure there are enough ppl who will justify all this BS.
Talking abt "national security", "Delhi is country's capital" and all that.
So?
If we're SO particular that these MUST be under Centre, then
- mark enclaves
- create Central Police, State Police squads. 7/n

The immediate argument is "this is not feasible", "there are central govt offices all over Delhi".
So?
There are Central Govt offices all over India too.
Itna kya nakhra kar rahe ho tum log?
Thing is, Union Govt only half-heartedly created this.
It was to APPEAR to care. 8/n

Mind you, I haven't talked abt political parties.
It doesn't matter who is in power - at Centre, or running Delhi Govt.
We've had Cong, BJP, even that Deve Gowda/Gujral Govt at the Centre. Cong, BJP, now AAP Govt at State level.
Every CM (BJP/Cong/AAP) has raised this issue. 9/n

People will say "The CM needs to be able to manage a relationship with the Centre such that the people are not affected".
That's again BS.
A structure is flawed - and we're talking abt "aapas mein baat kar ke, adjust kar lo".
Shouldn't be necessary in the first place.
10/n

Ppl will talk abt obstacles to change.
"Too complex to do".
"Practical nahin hai".
Again BS.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
There is no will.
Delhi people are the losers.
Think of how many Delhi Police staff are assigned to Central Govt VIPs.
Who loses?
Aam janata.
11/n

Look at some stats - Population (2020):
HP 75 lakhs
Goa 15 lakhs
Delhi 190 lakhs

If we TRULY want to respect the will of 190 lakhs, we need to ensure Delhi Police reports to the elected Govt, like in every other state.
Should be a no-brainer.
12/n

What hurts me most is that we, the people, are being had like this.
And all we do is "tu tu main main" between parties.
Can we PLEASE rise above this party nonsense, and highlight matters that cut across parties?
This is certainly one such matter.

Thank you for listening. 13/13

Another thought:
If it's SO difficult to fix this issue, just shift Centre to another place - say Puducherry?
Already a UT.
Pop is only abt 12-13 lakhs.
And if it feels too distant from Delhi, that's how locals there now feel anyway. :-)
And use this chance to downside Govt too.