Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to resolve the differences between the Centre and the elected government of Delhi through talks in the larger ‘interest of people.’
In his three page letter, Kejriwal reminded Modi of the Supreme Court’s observation that the two governments needed to resolve the differences amicably failing which people will teach them a lesson at an appropriate time (during elections).
Kejriwal said he agreed with the SC observation and was trying to reach out to the prime minister one more time to iron out the differences that have affected the governance in the capital.
He wrote, “Never before has the lieutenant governor declared the orders issued by the democratically elected government of National Capital Territory of Delhi as illegal and null and void.”
He continued, ” Never before has the LG issued direct orders to the officers of Delhi government which are contradictory to the legal and valid orders issued by the democratically elected government of Delhi.
“Never before has the ministry of home affairs, which is a part of the separate legal entity i.e. government of India declared illegal and ab initio void the orders of Delhi government.”
Kejriwal also highlighted the fact that the LG Najeeb Jung had ‘usurped’ the office of Delhi’s Anti Corruption Branch through an executive order and ‘novel’ interpretation of old statutes and rules.
The Delhi CM said that these interferences by the LG were adversely affecting his ability to combat corruption as promised to people during assembly elections.
He requested the PM to resolve the issue on priority as he didn’t think that ‘there’s any such issue that cannot be resolved by two well meaning governments in the interest of people of Delhi.’
Kejriwal led government and Jung have been at loggerheads ever since the former led his party to a historic election win in February this year. AAP accuses the BJP led central government of causing disruption in governance to ‘avenge the humiliating election defeat’ that saw a near annihilation of the saffron brigade despite Modi’s high profile campaign.
