In an exclusive interaction with IANS, the Congress leader spoke on a range of issues, from CM Kejriwal's resignation to the issue of 'One Nation, One Election'. Here are excerpts from the interview.
IANS: Arvind Kejriwal will meet today to decide the next CM of Delhi. What do you want to say about this?
Sandeep Dikshit: It doesn't make any sense. In most political parties, when power changes, the leader changes and the Chief Minister changes. Then there is curiosity among people because there are several leaders in many political parties. They have done something in political life and have contributed to social service. They are known for some issues or policies or regional issues. But in the AAP there is only Arvind Kejriwal, who is the only significant figure, the rest are his domestic servants and no one has any existence.
In my opinion, this decision will be made based on who will come and trust, who will not allow the file to be published, who will suppress evidence of corruption against him, and who will work on his instructions. The one who will sign the contract that must be signed. In a way, he will be there as his puppet.
They must have already decided on one or two faces who will be perfect for the CM post. They will do all the formalities saying that they are looking for the best CM, just for show. This is all drama. It has no meaning. It's just a matter of wasting time.
IANS: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he wants elections to be held in November. What would you like to say about this?
Sandeep Dikshit: Elections are not being held early due to resignation of CM or cabinet ministers. The Lieutenant Governor (LG) has the opportunity to explore the possibilities of a new government. If he explores the possibilities, then they can impose President's Rule without dissolving the Assembly.
Generally, the Assembly must be dissolved in January-February.
If Kejriwal wants early elections, he should convene the Cabinet and decide that they will send a proposal regarding it to the LG. They will call for elections to be held as soon as possible. Kejriwal is a former Income Tax officer and he knows the Constitution very well. If he wants elections to be held soon, then the Delhi CM should take action instead of creating drama. Arvind Kejriwal should initiate the formal decision of the Delhi Cabinet to apply for the LG.
IANS: The central government is moving ahead with the 'One Nation, One Election' programme, what is your stand on this?
Sandeep Dikshit: Keep trying. They couldn't do it simultaneously in Maharashtra and Haryana and were just busy playing politics about it. Their situation in Maharashtra is very bad, BJP will not get even 25 to 50 seats in Maharashtra. They have started a plan to give pensions to women there and believe it could increase some seats in Maharashtra. That's why they didn't hold elections there simultaneously.
When it suits your politics, it's not "One Nation, One Election" and when it doesn't suit someone else's politics, it's "One Nation, One Election." They don't follow any principles. They see what benefit they can get and do things accordingly.
IANS: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that the late Rajiv Gandhi and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were against reservations. LoP Rahul Gandhi talks about reservations, what do you have to say about it?
Sandeep Dikshit: He is the vice president and holds a constitutional position, so there is not much to say. But he's one of those vice presidents who I never take seriously. I respect him as vice president, but I personally don't have any serious feelings toward him.
IANS: Arvind Kejriwal will meet today to decide the next CM of Delhi. What do you want to say about this?
Sandeep Dikshit: It doesn't make any sense. In most political parties, when power changes, the leader changes and the Chief Minister changes. Then there is curiosity among people because there are several leaders in many political parties. They have done something in political life and have contributed to social service. They are known for some issues or policies or regional issues. But in the AAP there is only Arvind Kejriwal, who is the only significant figure, the rest are his domestic servants and no one has any existence.
In my opinion, this decision will be made based on who will come and trust, who will not allow the file to be published, who will suppress evidence of corruption against him, and who will work on his instructions. The one who will sign the contract that must be signed. In a way, he will be there as his puppet.
They must have already decided on one or two faces who will be perfect for the CM post. They will do all the formalities saying that they are looking for the best CM, just for show. This is all drama. It has no meaning. It's just a matter of wasting time.
IANS: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he wants elections to be held in November. What would you like to say about this?
Sandeep Dikshit: Elections are not being held early due to resignation of CM or cabinet ministers. The Lieutenant Governor (LG) has the opportunity to explore the possibilities of a new government. If he explores the possibilities, then they can impose President's Rule without dissolving the Assembly.
Generally, the Assembly must be dissolved in January-February.
If Kejriwal wants early elections, he should convene the Cabinet and decide that they will send a proposal regarding it to the LG. They will call for elections to be held as soon as possible. Kejriwal is a former Income Tax officer and he knows the Constitution very well. If he wants elections to be held soon, then the Delhi CM should take action instead of creating drama. Arvind Kejriwal should initiate the formal decision of the Delhi Cabinet to apply for the LG.
IANS: The central government is moving ahead with the 'One Nation, One Election' programme, what is your stand on this?
Sandeep Dikshit: Keep trying. They couldn't do it simultaneously in Maharashtra and Haryana and were just busy playing politics about it. Their situation in Maharashtra is very bad, BJP will not get even 25 to 50 seats in Maharashtra. They have started a plan to give pensions to women there and believe it could increase some seats in Maharashtra. That's why they didn't hold elections there simultaneously.
When it suits your politics, it's not "One Nation, One Election" and when it doesn't suit someone else's politics, it's "One Nation, One Election." They don't follow any principles. They see what benefit they can get and do things accordingly.
IANS: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that the late Rajiv Gandhi and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were against reservations. LoP Rahul Gandhi talks about reservations, what do you have to say about it?
Sandeep Dikshit: He is the vice president and holds a constitutional position, so there is not much to say. But he's one of those vice presidents who I never take seriously. I respect him as vice president, but I personally don't have any serious feelings toward him.
