New Delhi: With no side ready to blink first, the war between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is escalating with each passing day. Kejriwal has even written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging interference by the Central government. He has said that the Centre is trying to run the Delhi government through backdoor and asked the PM to let his government function as per the Constitution.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "We informed President that the Centre is trying to run Delhi government. What L-G is doing is not good for democracy. The President has said he will look into the issue. We accepted Shakuntala Gamlin's appointment as acting Chief Secretary. The L-G is continuing to interfere in governance. The President is concerned about the developments in Delhi."
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Jitendra Singh hit out at the AAP government saying they must not engage in activities that lower morale of officers. "Affecting one civil servant affects the entire hierarchy. I request the state government to create a friendly atmosphere. The President and government can take a call when required," Singh said.
Meanwhile, after knocking on President Pranab Mukherjee's door, Kejriwal in yet another revolt against the Lt Governor has called a meeting of all department heads to apprise them of the administration rules. Kejriwal has been insisting the Lt Governor be kept out of loop.
The tussle is over the Shakuntala Gamlin's appointment as acting Chief Secretary. President Pranab Mukherjee will be seeking legal opinion on the issue after he had separate meetings with both Kejriwal and Jung on Tuesday. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will also be meeting the President on the issue on Wednesday.
Amid its bitter face-off with the L-G, the AAP government also directed all its officials to apprise the Chief Minister or Minister concerned about any oral or written direction from the L-G or his office before following them. A directive signed by Kejriwal said the bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary will have to first consult with the Chief Minister and other Ministers about any communication from the L-G before acting on such directions.
"To ensure smooth functioning of day-to-day affairs of our government in accordance with the Constitution of India, the Government of NCT of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business of the Delhi Government it is hereby ordered that any direction or order, whether oral or written, received from Honorable L-G or his office to the Chief Secretary or any administrative Secretary, shall first be submitted by the concerned administrative Secretary/Chief Secretary on the file to the Minister in-charge and the Chief Minister for a decision," the order said.
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