DELHI GOVERNANCE: A CASE OF POLITICAL ONE-UPMANSHIP IN INDIA

The governance of capital cities is complex. It becomes more complex when a capital city belongs to a federal nation. Federal capital cities need to achieve a just and proper balance between the interests of the residents of the capital area and the interests of the nation. Various administrative models have been adopted by various federal polities to achieve this fine balance. India, too, has adopted its unique administrative model to govern its capital city—Delhi. How far has India been successful in achieving the fine balance between its federal interests and local interests? Are the democratic aspirations of residents of Delhi suffering due to political competition? Can any administrative model survive when games of political one-upmanship are being played to create an amputated elected government, with miniscule powers and miniscule responsibilities? The paper attempts to answer such questions.