File Picture
Already facing surge in coronavirus cases in Delhi, a new political row has erupted in Delhi. This situation arose after Lt Governor Anil Baijal overruled the Aam Aadmi Party government’s order to reserve Delhi government-run and private hospitals in the national capital for Delhiites.
The lieutenant governor is also the chairman of Delhi Disaster Management Authority. Thus setting the stage yet again for possible confrontation between the government and the LG yet again.
It may be recalled that earlier chief minister Arvind Kejriwal sparked a controversy when he had announced that the hospitals run by the Delhi government and private entities will only treat Delhiites during the coronavirus crisis.
He had cited the report of a panel which stated that Delhi will need 15,000 beds by the end of June and if people of other states are allowed to get treatment, all beds here will be occupied within just three days.
The panel had been appointed by the Delhi government to guide it on healthcare infrastructure augmentation and overall preparedness of hospitals to battle COVID-19 in the national capital.
Kejriwal’s comments got flak from the opposition . Senior Congress leader and former Finance minister P Chidambaram tweeted
Mr. Kejriwal says Delhi hospitals are only for Delhiites. Will he please tell us who is a Delhiite?
If I live or work in Delhi, am I a Delhiite?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 8, 2020
