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Delhi now a better place to live in: Sheila Dikshit

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI NOV.12 . Raring to hit the campaign trail for the crucial Delhi Assembly elections on December 1, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today declared that the focus of the Congress campaign would be on all-out development with a vision for the future. The basic aim is to make Delhi a first class Capital and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.

Ms. Dikshit, who is busy with the exercise of finalisation of tickets for the 70 Assembly segments, told The Hindu that the real campaign would begin only after the party president Sonia Gandhi gives her final approval to the list of candidates. Stating that the Congress had everything positive and development-oriented to offer to the people, Ms. Dikshit said Delhiites were looking at issues that touched their daily lives and that of the future generations. It was due to persistent efforts and commitment of the State Government that Delhiites can now spot stars in the night sky in view of the reduced air pollution, she said. "In fact, clean air and green cover had resulted in a better environment in and around the Capital. The grey sky and choking atmosphere is now gone and people find it easier to breathe."

The vision of the Congress is empowering citizens to take part in day-to-day administration. The party's campaign would be development-centric and it would reel out the achievements of the past five years and what it proposes to do in the next five years. "The effort is to reach out to every segment of society and offer a solution to the problems of all collectively. We would strive to make Delhi a Capital city of which people feel proud to live in. The basic aim is to improve the quality of life and offer a better Delhi to future generations,'' she remarked.

Stating that the war on pollution had produced tremendous results, the Chief Minister said conversion of public transport into CNG and increase in the forest cover had brought about a sea change in the quality of life. The citizens of Delhi, non-government organisations and the children had a major role to play in the campaign for a clean and green Delhi. Ms. Dikshit said she would be raising the issue of people's participation in the day-to-day governance, improving the quality of administration, good governance and bringing down the walls which hinder the smooth exchange of thoughts between the common man and the elected government. During the past five years, the effort has been to give an open, transparent and efficient Government. The active participation of the people has certainly led to improved governance at the local level and has in turn empowered people to handle their developmental projects with focussed attention.

Refusing to comment on the BJP campaign which has mainly focussed on "negative'' approach, the Chief Minister said the Congress had a positive agenda and a positive outlook. The party was going to the polls with a clear agenda and full confidence under the leadership of Ms. Gandhi. The slogan coined by Ms. Gandhi, "Jo Kaha, Woh Kar Dikhaya'', will form the theme of the Congress campaign in Delhi.

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