By IANS,
New Delhi : In a climbdown from its earlier claim of providing complete statehood to Delhi, the Congress party’s manifesto for the Capital now speaks of seeking a “special state” identity for it.
The manifesto, likely to be released Monday, admits that it is not practical to accord statehood to Delhi, party sources said.
Under the special status, the party wants to bring the police and the Delhi Development Authority under the ambit of the Delhi government. Presently, both are under the control of the central government.
“We want Delhi to get the status of a special state so that we get dedicated funds for development and autonomy to function,” Delhi Congress president J.P. Aggarwal said.
The party had in its 1998 and 2003 election manifestoes advocated full statehood for Delhi.
Besides, the manifesto speaks mostly about the track record of the Congress government in Delhi in the last 10 years, party sources said.
The manifesto covers the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Metro, regularisation of unauthorised colonies, Delhi Master Plan, construction of flyovers and roads in the Capital.