Delhi police chief BS Bassi. (File photo)
Delhi Police Chief BS Bassi, who has been battling Delhi government's charges over the functioning of his force, today dared chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to a public debate.
"It can be a debate lasting one day or more, so that all faults can be discussed and all doubts can be removed," Mr Bassi told NDTV during an exclusive interview. "I can handle this issue without any assistance relying on my knowledge of the affairs of the Delhi Police and overall policing experience."
The government has repeatedly questioned the police performance, making it the ground for its demand for the control of the force, which is under the Union Home Ministry.
Mr Bassi -- who had objected to the government's advertisement in which Mr Kejriwal questioned police functioning -- said the ads were mere "posturing", "essential" to keep the party organisation under control.
The police chief also said he did not think Mr Kejriwal was tarnishing the image of the Delhi police, since every party that ruled Delhi has wanted to bring the police under the government's control.
"If they say the police are doing good work, nothing would come out of it. But by condemning the police, they can seek to control it," said Mr Bassi. "This attempt is not new -- all demands earlier were subtle and were administrative efforts. But now it is being discussed in the open."
Yesterday, the police chief had said a shift will result in the police being used for political ends. The present system was the best since a prime minister or a home minister has no vested interest in Delhi, he said.
"I will never bash Kejriwal, but I must tell him that his desire to control Delhi police will ruin the performance of police. It will increase political interference," he added.