New Delhi: There is no end to the power struggle between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over 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 be meeting the President as well on the issue on Wednesday.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been claiming that it has legal backing of precedence over the L-G. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "We told 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, the AAP government has called a meeting of all department heads and secretaries to brief them about administration rules.
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.
In a directive, the order 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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