NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday wrote to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal wondering how the latter could be "selective" in accepting the Supreme Court judgement on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre.
In retaliation, the LG lashed out at Kejriwal saying that it is he who has erroneously mentioned the selective implementation of the July 4 judgment.
In the letter, the Chief Minister urged the LG to implement the apex court's order in letter and in spirit, and asserted that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) does not have powers to interpret the order.
He also urged Baijal to approach the Supreme Court immediately for clarification, in case of any confusion, while saying "but kindly do not violate the order of the apex court".
"But how can you be selective in accepting the judgement? Either you should take a position that all the matters now would be placed before the regular bench and therefore, you would not implement any part of the order. Or you should accept the whole order and implement it.
"How can you say that you will accept this para of the order but not accept that para of the same order?" the Chief Minister's letter stated.
Responding to Kejriwal, the LG in his letter noted that Chief Minister has quoted selectively. Baijal drew the Chief Minister's attention to para 3 of the letter, stating, "While the entire judgement and its implications are still being studied, it may kindly be noted that in the concluding paras, Supreme Court while answering the reference has directed to place the matters before the appropriate regular Bench.
"Therefore, further clarity will be achieved when the appeals pending before the Regular Bench is finally disposed of."
Baijal also wrote that the matter should be seen in the view of the apex court's observation, which is "...for the purpose of deciding any case involving such a question and shall on receipt of the opinion dispose of the appeal in conformity with such opinion..."
He mentioned that as appeals are still pending before the Regular Bench, it would be premature to draw any conclusions in this regard.
Finally, Baijal wrote that before the Chief Minister's letter reached his office, it had already appeared first on social and electronic media.