Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal continues to be the first choice for the chief ministerial post in Delhi. The India Today survey on one year of Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government showed 45 per cent of Delhiites still prefer Kejriwal as the chief minister, if polls are held today.
Kejriwal had led the Aam Aadmi Party to a thumping victory in February 2015, where it secured 67 of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly. The results of the survey came out on Friday, two days before the party completes its first full year in power.
According to the survey, 43 per cent of the respondents said they were happy with the government’s performance and graded it as ‘good’.
The second choice for the CM post, according to the survey, is BJP’s Dr Harsh Vardhan with 24 per cent votes. However, 18 per cent of respondents still find Sheila Dikshit a better choice for the CM post. 48 per cent of Delhi citizens marked Kejriwal’s performance as the CM as ‘good’.
One of the most ambitious schemes of AAP government in Delhi – the odd-even plan – received a phenomenal response from the residents. As many as 81 per cent people want the scheme to continue in Delhi on a regular basis, with just 16 per cent saying no to it. 56 per cent of the respondents feel that the odd-even scheme was a great idea. While it was touted that the scheme brought down pollution levels, the respondents begged to differ. A total of 51 per cent of people agreed that the scheme only helped ease the traffic chaos in the city.
The AAP’s election manifesto had promised water and sewage connection to lakhs of households in the next four years. 65 per cent of respondents felt the decision to provide free water and power is the biggest achievement of the Delhi government in the past one year. On the other hand, 16 per cent felt that providing free medicines in government hospitals was the government’s biggest achievement.
The AAP mustered electoral success in the Assembly elections by attracting a diverse support base of middle-class and lower-middle-class voters and the economically disenfranchised with its promise of corruption-free governance and development.
59 per cent of the respondents feel awareness among the people regarding corruption has improved after Kejriwal came to power. As many as 51 per cent respondents said with AAP forming the government the corruption level in the city saw a decline whereas 36 per cent felt that the situation remains the same, 10 per cent claimed that corruption has gone up.
The constant tussle between the AAP government, Delhi police and the central government is affecting the overall functioning of the city, feel respondents. 64 per cent agreed that the tussle is bringing the city’s development to a standstill, while 26 per cent completely disagreed. 48 per cent of the respondents feel Delhi police should not report to the Delhi government.
While Kejriwal is expecting a win in Punjab Assembly elections next year, people of Delhi feel he should concentrate only on the national Capital. In the survey, 79 per cent said he should concentrate on Delhi and not shift to national politics. 71 per cent said that Aam Aadmi Party should not project Kejriwal as the CM candidate of Punjab.
Unable to provide safety to women was ranked as the top failure of the AAP government in the survey. 59 per cent said there is no visible action to ensure women safety in the national Capital while 37 per cent felt lack of major infrastructure projects is the biggest drawback.
37 per cent felt law and order situation has improved in Delhi under AAP government and 36 per cent said it has remained the same. 47 per cent felt there is no change in administration on the ground while 44 per cent agreed that the quality of services have improved.
