G20 Summit: Lesser efforts would have been required had Delhi govt worked throughout 9 years, LG says

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena, expressed his views on the preparatory work for the upcoming G20 summit in Delhi, stating that it would have been more manageable if the city government had been actively involved over the past nine years.
Saxena said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended just one meeting related to the G20 preparations, and no other ministers from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government participated.

Responding to criticism from AAP leaders regarding the installation of “Shivling-shaped” fountains as part of the beautification efforts near the Palam Technical Area, Saxena commented that it’s a positive thing if people find spiritual significance in art.

There has been a verbal clash between Delhi ministers, who have been conducting field visits to inspect summit-related projects, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Kejriwal government of claiming undue credit for the work done by the Centre ahead of the mega event.

Saxena said that the recent progress made in the last two months demonstrated that if the AAP government had been actively engaged throughout the nine-year period, the efforts required for G20 preparations would have been significantly reduced.

Regarding the absence of Delhi government ministers at G20 preparation meetings and whether they were invited, Saxena stated that after Kejriwal’s attendance at one meeting, no other AAP ministers participated. He expressed his belief in the importance of collaborative efforts but clarified that he held no grudges.

Saxena also highlighted the differences in thinking between the AAP government and himself in managing the preparatory work. While some ministers have been seen inspecting roads in recent weeks, Saxena noted that such engagement was lacking over the past year.

Addressing the controversies surrounding expenses and the “Shivling-shaped” fountains, Saxena defended the artistic interpretation, stating that it’s a matter of personal perspective and that he saw it as a piece of art. He mentioned India’s cultural diversity, where everything is believed to contain a divine essence, including rivers and trees.

The G20 summit is scheduled to be hosted in Delhi on September 9 and 10, with Delhi Police receiving assistance from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the National Security Guard (NSG) for the event’s security arrangements. Saxena expressed confidence that the summit would be conducted peacefully in the national capital, aiming to provide visitors with an exceptional experience, portraying India as an exemplary host country. (With inputs from PTI)