The Hindu : New Delhi News : Cong. leaders annoyed over power, water crisis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 14, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Cong. leaders annoyed over power, water crisis

Sujay Mehdudia

Fear backlash from Delhiites during MCD elections; Ashok Gehlot directed to ask Chief Minister to set things right

NEW DELHI: Fearing a backlash from the harassed citizens during the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections scheduled for early next year, the Congress high command is understood to have conveyed its "strong annoyance" to the Delhi Government over the poor water and power situation in the Capital and its "unprofessional handling" leading to public unrest.

According to highly placed sources, not only did the Congress leadership convey its concern over the unrest among the residents and their taking the law into their hands at a number of places but also its "unhappiness" over the foreign visit being undertaken by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

The Chief Minister has been away in Mangolia to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Asked about the recent happenings on the power and water front, Congress general secretary in charge of Delhi Ashok Gehlot told The Hindu that he had taken up the matter with the Chief Minister.

As for the foreign visit being undertaken by Ms. Dikshit, Mr. Gehlot said he had asked the Chief Minister to cancel the visit in view of the precarious power and water situation. However, the Chief Minister informed him that it was very important for her to reach Mangolia as she had to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and no one else could be deputed for the job.

"Although the timing of the visit was not right, Ms. Dikshit said it was unavoidable as it involved international protocol," Mr. Gehlot remarked.

However, sources informed that the party leadership has been viewing the happenings in Delhi very closely. It is learnt that party president Sonia Gandhi has also been apprised of the situation and is understood to have directed Mr. Gehlot to ask the Chief Minister to set things right.

`Government failed'

"There has been a clear failure on the part of the Delhi Government to foresee the situation in advance and work out things accordingly. This has hurt the image of the party and the Government and could well be a cause for the defeat of the party's candidate in the upcoming Subhash Nagar municipal ward by-election," said a senior leader.

Sources said there has been a growing feeling among the Congress leaders that the popularity of the Delhi Government has taken a beating in the recent past.

The leadership feels that the indications of growing unrest are clear with residents' welfare associations up in arms against the Congress-led Government in Delhi.

Harassed consumers have taken to the streets against the poor water and power situation and its subsequent handling by the Government.

The Government is now being accused of being complacent and trying to rest on past laurels.

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