As per reports, Congress party has begun its search for new chiefs to head party units in Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
Reportedly, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken has conveyed to the party leadership that it will be difficult for him to continue on medical grounds.
To talk about these and many more issues, journalist Anurag Sason has an in-depth conversation with veteran Congress leader and three-time CM of Delhi Ms. Sheila Dikshit.
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Here are important excerpts from the exclusive interview: (Scroll down to watch the complete interview)
Q1) As per reports Congress party has begun the search for new chiefs for its party units in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Mumbai. What you have to say about this?
Sheila Dikshit: It is not some an extraordinary news. It is a continuous process, nobody holds any office permanently. Whenever high command feels that there is a need for change, they do it.
Q2) Are you ready to take up the responsibility in Delhi (Delhi Pradesh Congress chief role)?
Sheila Dikshit: I have no information about it. There are some reports in newspapers but I personally have no information. Nobody has conveyed anything to me, so I don’t want to comment anything on it.
Q3) Is the Congress party ready for an alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)?
Sheila Dikshit: There is no discussion right now about it.
Q4) What are the main problems Delhi is facing today?
Sheila Dikshit: Roads are in bad shape in the national capital Delhi and maintenance work of Signature Bridge is not up to the mark. Delhi government is not fulfilling its promises.
Q5) How serious is the problem of air pollution in Delhi?
Sheila Dikshit: Air quality in Delhi was the worst this time. Air pollution is bad for people’s health both in long-term and short-term. Action must have been taken on preventing it in the beginning itself. Delhi government has not paid any attention for controlling it.
Q6) How you see Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure till now?
Sheila Dikshit: I don’t want to comment anything on this.
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Q7) How important grand alliance is for the Lok Sabha elections 2019?
Sheila Dikshit: Right now those who are working for grand alliance are busy in the upcoming elections in the five states. After the state elections, we have to see how things turn out.
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Q8) Elections are going to be held in five states. Do you think Congress party will come back to power in the three big states (Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh)?
Sheila Dikshit: We are fighting with confidence and we believe that we will bounce back to power.
Q9) How you think the Congress party will perform in the Lok Sabha elections 2019?
Sheila Dikshit: This time we will perform better. However, a complete picture will come up after the announcement of the results of the five states polls.
WATCH FULL INTERVIEW: Monday Talk | Delhi govt not paid any attention for controlling air pollution: Sheila Dikshit to Anurag Sason
About the author: Author is Deputy Editor in India TV and tweets at@AnuragSason
The interview is taken in the personal capacity and is exclusively for this website.
Anurag Sason 