Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal sees Centre behind LG Najeeb Jung, seeks PM Narendra Modi’s help

NEW DELHI: The fight between the Delhi government and the lieutenant-governor escalated on Wednesday, with chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the Centre of using Najeeb Jung to run the state even as he sought the intervention of PM Modi to end the confrontation. Earlier in the day, Jung directed the AAP government not to breach constitutional provisions only to be questioned by Kejriwal on his authority to issue such a directive.

Jung in a letter to Kejriwal said that only he had the power to appoint or transfer IAS officials, and those belonging to the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (Danics) and Delhi Administrative Subordinate Services (DASS). Jung said Anindo Majumdar cannot be re placed by Kejriwal’s secretary Rajendra Kumar and said the officer would continue in the department. Within hours, Kejriwal retorted by asking L-G to elaborate provisions in the Constitution, the government of NCT of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business Rules that gave him powers to issue directions.

“In the letter, the chief minister asked the L-G to inform the city administration under which provisions of the Constitution, the government of NCT of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business Rules, has issued directions on matters relating to transfer and posting of bureaucrats,” PTI quoted a source.

Jung termed as ‘unconstitutional’ the orders by Kejriwal asking officers to put up files directly to ministers, asserting that some directives by AAP regime have tended to ‘obfuscate’ the special position that Delhi has as the national capital.

Conscious of the unsettled feeling among bureaucrats, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia held a meeting with all key officials over three hours in the first half of the day, clarifying the AAP administration’s interpretation of the norms, procedures and laws. “All except Anindo Majumdar, who is on leave, were present in the meeting. Additional CS Shakuntala Gamlin was also present. A 14-page letter containing the government’s interpretation of the GNCT of Delhi Act, constitution and transaction of business rules was circulated. It specifically explained the government’s interpretation of the grey areas in the services department,” a senior official who attended the meeting told ET.

It was clear where the Delhi administration’s sympathies lay in the ongoing clash. The bureaucrat quoted earlier said, “it would be best to get legal opinion from the attorney-general on this issue.”