Ministers ignored for ITO skywalk launch

NEW DELHI: The rift between the Centre and the Delhi government has come out in the open yet again, this time over ITO’s skywalk inauguration on October 15. The invite for the October 15 event skips Delhi ministers, with the ruling AAP saying the occasion does not demand credit-taking.

The invite sent out by the ministry of housing and urban affairs has the names of lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MP Meenakshi Lekhi, but no names of any minister or MLA from the Aam Aadmi Party.

Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri is set to inaugurate the skywalk on October 15.

“Ministry of housing and urban affairs cordially invites you to the inauguration ceremony of Skywalk and FOB (foot over bridge) at ‘W’ point, ITO by Hardeep S. Puri, Union minister of state for housing and urban affairs under the chairmanship of Anil Baijal, lieutenant-governor, Delhi, in the august presence of Meenakshi Lekhi, member of Parliament on Monday, October 15, at 3 pm near Pragati Maidan Metro Station,” the invite read.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government is only dedicated towards making Delhi beautiful.

“No issue, we want to work. Delhi should look beautiful and the life of people here should improve. Congratulations for the inauguration,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Speaking to the media, PWD minister Satyendar Jain hit out at the Centre for not inviting any AAP minister to the inauguration of a skywalk, saying the Arvind Kejriwal-led government just wants to do its work.

Mr Jain said, “They (Centre) assigned the work. Our job was to construct the skywalk and they have assigned to themselves the responsibility of inaugurating it.”

“Our work is being praised as we (Delhi PWD) have done a good job,” he said, adding “We are happy. We just want to be allowed to execute projects, and they can do the inauguration.”

Mr Jain also said the design of the skywalk was initially a simple foot over bridge, but it was changed when he intervened.