Will fight LG if people’s interest is undermined, says Sisodia

Accusing Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung of sitting on crucial files of major infrastructure projects and schemes, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said that the Aam Aadmi Party government would not shy away from a “fight” with him if people’s interest is “undermined”.

The Deputy Chief Minister also alleged that the Prime Minister’s Office was behind the LG stalling ambitious projects, including setting up of mohalla clinics across the city.

“We will not allow the LG to undermine people’s interest. If there is a need to request him, we will do so, and if there is also a need to fight with the Lt Governor, we will do the same. Without the PMO’s instruction, the LG cannot create hurdles,” Sisodia told reporters on Sunday.

Recently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a bitter critic of the Prime Minister, had alleged that IAS officers working in the Delhi government were being threatened and provoked by PMO and Lt Governor to revolt against him. “PM is bitter about Delhi because of huge loss (in Delhi Assembly elections). The PMO is creating hurdles in the working of Delhi government through Lt Governor,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

On August 4 this year, the Delhi High Court had ruled the primacy of the LG in the city administration. Kejriwal had challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court. On December 14, the Apex Court had observed that the Delhi government should have some powers for it to function properly. It had also listed for final disposal the appeal of the AAP government against the August 4 Delhi High Court verdict.

Sisodia said that Delhi government is “fully confident” that the Supreme Court judgment will be in their favour and thereafter, “hurdles being created by the Centre” in the functioning of government will stop. “Government is fully confident that the SC’s order will be in its favour,” he said.

Since coming to power, the AAP dispensation and the LG have been at loggerheads on a range of issues including transfer and posting of bureaucrats and setting up of enquiry commissions.