Mamata, Kejriwal target Centre for trying to foist parallel govts on some states

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counter-part Arvind Kejriwal attacked the Narendra Modi-led Central government, stressing that “parallel Governments are being run in states by Governors or Lt Governors.”

The two Chief Ministers were attending a Conclave on cooperative federalism and Centre-State relations held in the Capital on Wednesday. Speaking after the meeting to the media, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal talked about the problems he faced with the Central government in Delhi. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee who shared the dais with Kejriwal, spoke after him, slammed the “double-standards” of the Modi government in dealing with the <g data-gr-id="47">non</g>-BJP ruled states.

Hitting out at the Centre, she said, “There is an attempt to disrupt communal harmony, looking at <g data-gr-id="59">religion</g> of people killed in accidents to vitiate the environment. If two people die in West Bengal, NIA is rushed to the state but when 100 people died in Madhya Pradesh not a word was said just because it is a BJP government there. This is not good governance. Neither is running a parallel government through the Governor or Lt Governor. I can understand that law and order in Delhi <g data-gr-id="56">is</g> under the Ministry of Home but how can the West Bengal Governor write to the Centre seeking central forces for municipal elections there?”

Banerjee stressed that “states needed to be empowered, for the Centre to become powerful.” She also expressed her anguish at disbanding of the Planning Commission and National Development Council which was a forum for the states to meet and voice their concerns. “The PM should hold a meeting with all state Chief Ministers, if possible every six months, to be apprised on the problems they are facing. But the ruling party at the Centre is indulging in publicity gimmicks,” said Banerjee.

“They are threatening us and if need be we are even ready to go to <g data-gr-id="63">jail</g> but our fight will go on. The Central Government can’t bulldoze us forcibly, we have a voice and we will raise it,” she added. Banerjee said that even though some states wanted to participate in the conclave they weren’t able to make it because “either they have political compulsions, or they are afraid as they have CBI, ED or Income Tax department forcibly put after them by the Centre,” she added.

Making a strong pitch for full statehood, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal said it was very difficult to run the government without the police. “Recently, we imposed Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on striking drivers of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) but police remained mute spectators when goons stopped operation of buses,” alleged Kejriwal. He further blamed the Centre for using Delhi police to target and pick up Aam Aadmi Party leaders. He also demanded full rights on land which is under Central government.  Elaborating on the city government’s woes, Kejriwal said it was the first time since 1992 that a Lieutenant Governor declared over 30 orders of an elected government null and void in the last seven months.

“The Central government through Lieutenant Governor wrote to the officers of Delhi government not to follow the orders of the elected government, this tantamount to rebellion on the part of Central government,” said Kejriwal expressing his serious reservations on the alleged frequent interference of Centre in the functioning of Delhi government. He, however, maintained that his motive was not to weaken the Centre but work in his jurisdiction for the welfare of the people of Delhi. 

Kejriwal also blamed Centre for <g data-gr-id="55">step motherly</g> treatment in fund allocation. “Delhi pays <g data-gr-id="53">tax</g> of over Rs 1.3 lakh crore but we get only Rs 325 crore from this pool. We understand the responsibility of Centre but we can expect at least Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 crore,” added Kejriwal.

The <g data-gr-id="51">conclave</g> a brainchild of Delhi CM Kejriwal and got the backing of six CMs. Tripura’s chief minister Manik Sarkar who attended the <g data-gr-id="50">meet,</g> wasn’t present when Kejriwal and Banerjee addressed the press conference. Other chief ministers who sent in their letters to Kejriwal expressing their support and regretted f not being able to attend the meet, included chief ministers of Bihar - Nitish Kumar, Mizoram- Lal Thanhawla and Puducherry - N Rangaswamy. Also present at the meet were TMC leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien, JD(U)’s KC Tyagi and AAP’s Raghav Chadha.