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Old Warhorse |
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"We’ve had too many terror attacks in the past few years. This is not a Delhi we want to leave behind for our future generations"
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Through November, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the assembly polls in Delhi whisked about town trying to win friends, and influence voters. Several national leaders supported him in his rallies. In 2004, when the Congress-led UPA swept to power, Malhotra was the only BJP candidate who could wrest a Lok Sabha seat from Delhi. The rest went to the Congress.
By every account, Malhotra has had an outstanding career in politics. Back in 1967 when Delhi was a different city, with no television sets, few cars, and no multiplex theatres, Malhotra became the city’s chief executive councilor. He was only 35 then.
It was following the recommendations of the Malhotra-committee, set up in the mid-1990s that Delhi’s Master Plan was amended, bringing about great housing relief to its citizens who were allowed to regularize an additional floor in their premises.
His association and ties with sporting bodies is well known. He is a senior vice president of the Indian Olympic Association, a founder president of the Asian Archery Federation, and a member of the executive board for the Commonwealth Games 2010.
In the midst of his busy campaign, he took time out to speak with
INDIA EMPIRE Editor Sayantan Chakravarty:
On his career graph…
I’ve had a complete political career. I started out with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, then was twice elected to the Delhi Metropolitan Council and became the Chief Executive Councillor, equivalent in protocol to a chief minister. I was then elected four times to the Lok Sabha, and nominated to the Rajya Sabha once.
On the decision to make him the chief ministerial candidate for the BJP:
It was a decision of the party’s Parliamentary Board.
On preparations for the Commonwealth Games of 2010…
To be honest the pace so far has been tardy. We need the Games Village to be completed on time, we expect better connectivity between the Village and the venues. All stadiums need to be completed well on time, at the moment they appear to be lagging behind.
On regularization of unauthorized colonies…
Our Government got all unauthorized colonies mapped aerially through satellites. We are serious about providing relief to the dwellers in these colonies, and not just providing lip-service.
On how the city has shaped up…
In the past 10 years, we have seen no new zonal plans, no district plans in the city. What we have instead witnessed recently is forcing the BRT on Delhi-ites. It is a concept that lacks foresight, and has brought about chaos.
On crime…
We all know that along with being the national capital, Delhi is also the crime capital of India. We’ve had too many terror attacks in the past few years. This is not a Delhi we want to leave behind for our future generations.
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December 2008
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