More Than Just Political Opponents
Politics in Delhi has often been marked by public clashes between the Raj Niwas and the Chief Minister’s Office. However, Saxena’s words hint at a different reality behind closed doors.
“There’s always been this portrayal that we’re enemies. That’s not true. We’ve met multiple times. And let me tell you, those meetings were cordial,” he said.
He added humorously, “Kejriwal used to joke, ‘Aapne humara sugar badha diya hai.’”
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant weighed in on the camaraderie. He said, “Mr. Saxena had a lot of love and warmth for Mr. Kejriwal. He killed him with kindness.”
This unexpected praise underscores an important shift—Delhi’s top political players might disagree, but mutual respect still finds space in their dialogue.
Progress Over Politics
Beyond personal rapport, Saxena talked about the challenges of governing Delhi. He reiterated his commitment: “Since I took oath, I’ve visited over 1100 sites. I meet people, address traffic issues, pollution, infrastructure gaps.”
He stressed collaboration with various departments. “In Delhi, to get one road fixed, you talk to five agencies. That’s the complexity we deal with.”
Under the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ push, licensing norms for eateries were also simplified—restaurants no longer need MCD licenses to operate.
Religious Harmony without Conflict
In another significant move, Saxena addressed religious gatherings. “For the first time, Eid namaz wasn’t offered on roads,” he said.
“We did it peacefully. I called ulemas, discussed the sanctity of namaz. They agreed—cleanliness matters. It’s not proper to offer prayers on dusty roads,” he added.
This achievement was realized without police force or conflict, marking a notable moment in public cooperation.
Rain, Bomb Threats & Resilience
While political discourse took a human turn, Delhi’s citizens faced other pressing challenges. Over 20 schools received bomb threats recently, according to former CM Atishi. Thankfully, they turned out to be hoaxes.
Meanwhile, rains brought relief. The IMD recorded a minimum temperature of 23.6°C and issued a yellow alert. The city’s air quality improved to a satisfactory AQI of 61.
Cloud Seeding for a Cleaner Future
Delhi’s fight against pollution may soon get technological help. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced cloud seeding trials in September 2025.
The artificial rain experiment, postponed in July, is backed by IMD, IIT-Kanpur, and IITM Pune. It aims to reduce particulate matter and improve air quality.
The Bigger Message: Civility in Conflict
Saxena’s open-hearted tone reflects something deeper—democracy doesn’t have to be a battleground of bitterness.
Disagreements are natural. But respect and dialogue build stronger governance. Even amidst public disputes, private tea can heal political divides.
Conclusion: Delhi Deserves Dialogue
As Delhi tackles challenges from traffic to pollution, its leaders must work together. The Saxena-Kejriwal rapport offers hope that collaboration is possible—even between rivals.
Politics, when laced with respect, can lead to real change. And sometimes, all it takes is a shared cup of chai.