Delhi L-G asserts his authority after Chief Minister order, launches Najeeb Jung against Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Making his displeasure public about Arvind Kejriwal’s order to Delhi government officials to not route files through his office, Lt General Najeeb Jung’s secretariat issued a statement on Sunday to emphasise his authority. In his “clarification’’ issued to the media, Jung has cited laws to buttress his claim of the necessity to route files through him and said the AAP administration has been “instructed that the directions issued” be withdrawn.

The short statement from Jung’s office said he has “informed the chief minister” that the role of the Council of Ministers and the CM is to “aid and advise the Lt Governor”. Making his point forcefully, the L-G emphasised that he “is entitled to act solely on his own discretion and all files relating to matters for which legislative assembly can make Law should come to the Lt.

Governor for final approval”. Jung has cited Constitutional provisions, the GNCTD Act 1991 (through which the Delhi government was formed) and the Transaction of Business Rules, 1993. As per Jung, they “underscore the relationship between the Lt Governor’s and the chief minister’s offices”.

Last week, Kejriwal’s office had reportedly issued an order under Article 74,163 and 167 of the Constitution and Section 41 and 45 of Delhi GNCTD Act 1993. The order had argued that, in other states, government business is run in the name of the president/governor without actually sending the files, so the same practice should be followed in Delhi to “not burden the LG”. Delhi government spokesman Nagender Sharma refused to comment on the latest directive from the L-G’s office.