Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the meeting assuming significance since it comes after a bitter campaign for the recently held assembly elections.
The meeting was described as a post-election courtesy call, but it had added importance since Kejriwal has, in his new term as chief minister, sounded reconciliatory and spoken of cooperating with the Centre. In his speech after he was sworn in on February 16, Kejriwal had attempted to put the bitterness of the campaign behind him and reach out to the Centre, saying he had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the oath-taking ceremony, but the latter could not make it since he had other engagements. Modi had gone to his constituency of Varanasi to inaugurate various projects.
It was also significant because Shah, who had led the BJP's campaign in the assembly elections, had launched direct attacks on Kejriwal, asking him where he stood on the anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh and attempting to project him as being a supporter of the “anti-national” forces behind the agitation. Kejriwal, on his part, had challenged Shah to a televised debate on issues pertaining to Delhi.
After the 15-minute meeting at Shah's residence, Kejriwal tweeted that he had a “very good and fruitful meeting”.
“Discussed several issues related to Delhi. Both of us agreed that we will work together for development of Delhi,” he said.
Met Hon’ble Home Minister Sh Amit Shah ji. Had a very good and fruitful meeting. Discussed several issues related to Delhi. Both of us agreed that we will work together for development of Delhi
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 19, 2020
Later, addressing reporters, he said, “The meeting was good. It was held in a cordial atmosphere. It was a positive meeting. We discussed various issues related to Delhi. Broadly speaking, there was agreement between us that the Centre and the Delhi government need to work together for the development of Delhi.”
Responding to a query, he said there was no discussion on Shaheen Bagh. The protests at Shaheen Bagh were a leitmotif in the BJP's election campaign, and Kejriwal had questioned why Shah, despite being such a strong home minister, had failed to get the area cleared.
Kejriwal's comments on Thursday are a far cry from 2015, when after the AAP's victory in the assembly elections in Delhi, he had called on then home minister Rajnath Singh. Then, Kejriwal had taken an aggressive stand on the demand for full statehood for Delhi.
