Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has lashed out at the Supreme Court, calling its Thursday’s judgement on the administrative powers of the elected government and the LG against the constitution and democracy.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Kejriwal said, “If a government can’t even transfer its officers, how is it supposed to function? The party that has 67 seats doesn’t have the rights but the party who won 3 seats has those rights.”
Terming the Supreme Court’s judgement as ‘unfortunate,’ Kejriwal said, “We respect the Supreme Court, but today’s judgement is an injustice to the people of Delhi. A chief minister now doesn’t even have powers to transfer a peon. Now if a CM can’t even transfer a peon, how will he work?” He added, “We appeal to the People of Delhi, You have to strengthen us. We will fight for full statehood and betterment of Delhi.”
This was after a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Kejriwal government had no control over the Anti Corruption Bureau of the Delhi government. It also said that the power to transfer IAS officers remained with the LG.
Justice AK Sikri said that transfers and posting of officers of and above the rank of Joint Secretary are under the powers of LG, while other officers were under the control of Delhi government. On this, Justice Ashok Bhushan disagreed and said “services” were totally outside the purview of Delhi government.
Thursday’s verdict is being viewed as a huge setback to Kejriwal and his party.
