We have no intentions to run Delhi government: Rajnath Singh, Home Minister

NEW DELHI: In the midst of the ongoing stand-off between the Delhi Lt Governor and the AAP government, the Centre today said it has no intention to run the city government through anyone but is conscious of its Constitutional responsibility and committed to uphold it.

"We have no intentions to run the Delhi government through anyone. Let them run the government. We just want to uphold the Constitutional provisions," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said at a press conference here.

He was replying to a question on whether the Centre wants to run the Delhi government through the Lieutenant Governor as it has given him absolute powers in several matters, including transfer and postings of senior bureaucrats, by issuing a notification, which was challenged in the court by the Arvind Kejriwal government.

"We are not against anyone but it is our responsibility to uphold constitutional provisions. Everyone should remain within the framework of the Constitution," he said without naming anyone.

Asked to comment on Delhi Assembly's resolution holding as "illegal" the Centre's May 21 notification giving more powers to the LG and Kejriwal's statement that the Narendra Modi-led government is trying to push the country towards "dictatorship", the Home Minister said he would not like to say anything on this but added that the government was committed to uphold the Constitution.

Singh further said that if any law and order situation arises in the national capital, the central government is obliged to intervene.

"I don't want to say who is doing what but we are committed to uphold the Constitution. Law and order is also my duty...we will see," he said.

When asked if a jung (war) is going on between the Centre and the Delhi government, Singh said in a lighter vein, "There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung."