Najeeb Jung's 'I am the govt' remark laughable: Kejriwal

Relenting after two days of defiance, the AAP government today sent a file on appointment of its handpicked DCW chief to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung asserting it was not an ego issue but strongly slammed his stand that he was the 'government' in Delhi which it said smacks of "dictatorship".

As the tussle over appointment of Swati Maliwal as DCW chief threatened to widen the rift further, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia met Jung and announced subsequently that the file has already been sent to the LG for clearance.

He said it was done so to "stop the conspiracy to weaken the panel".

Hours later, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent a terse letter to Jung in which he slammed the LG for his assertion that 'government' in Delhi meant the LG, saying it will result in dictatorship and that his stand was not only unconstitutional but "laughable" in a democratic country like India.

The chief minister also accused Jung of forcefully seeking the files from DCW office after locking it down, terming it "blackmail". He alleged that Jung was working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he has made the DCW "completely dysfunctional".

"The LG says he is the government of Delhi. How can it be? How can anyone call himself the government? This will result in dictatorship in Delhi. Nothing can be more laughable than this. India is a democracy. Delhi has an elected government.

"It's but a fact that the meaning of Delhi government is an elected government and not any individual," Kejriwal said in the letter, adding, "But why is the LG making such laughable and unconstitutional statements. The truth is the Lt Governor himself is not doing anything. He is being asked to do things." 

Striking down Maliwal's appointment Jung had in a letter to Kejriwal on Tuesday referred to a Home Ministry order and said 'government' meant the "Lt Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi" appointed by the President and that he was sole authority in deciding on major issues including appointment to top positions.

"This is not a battle of ego for us. Respected LG, PM has won, we all have lost. We fold our hands in requesting you to kindly sign the files pertaining to DCW and make it functional. I am sending the file to you," the Chief Minister said in his letter.

On Tuesday, Jung had declared Maliwal's appointment null and void, saying it did not have legal sanctity and was in violation of constitutional provisions.

Sources in LG's office said he will respond to Kejriwal's letter in due course keeping the provisions of Constitution.

In the morning, Maliwal claimed that her office had been locked down but hours later it was found open though her name plate was removed. Maliwal also claimed that all files had been taken away from her office.

Later, her office at Vikas Sadan in ITO locality was found open. Archna Arora, Member Secretary of DCW confirmed that no directions were received from LG office to lock her office and that it was locked out of routine practice.

In the letter to LG, Kejriwal alleged that LG was doing "all these as per the directives of the Prime Minister. Even the Home Ministry is falling flat in front of the PMO".

"The Prime Minister's step to close the DCW is very wrong. LG wants his permission in the file pertaining to the formation of DCW. According to law and constitution matters relating to DCW falls outside the domain of LG's rights. "For this reason the LG is forcefully seeking the files after locking down the panel's office is unconstitutional.This is blackmail," he alleged.

The Chief Minister said Jung has made the DCW "completely dysfunctional" at the behest of the prime minister.

"Before that he had made the ACB dysfunctional. I have been told that the files of all the newly-appointed members have been forcibly taken from them and nameplates have been removed. This is totally wrong," said Kejriwal.

A defiant AAP government yesterday refused to comply with LG's order striking down her appointment.

"DCW's proper functioning is important for the public. Delhi is witnessing crimes against women across the city. I hope the new DCW will provide justice to all those victims. 

"The only reason that can be seen behind LG's actions is that PM wants Delhi government to bend through LG. For us, the matter of DCW is very important and sensitive," said Kejriwal.

Sisodia also accused the Centre of "attempting to weaken" AAP government's fight against corruption.

"Delhi government's anti-corruption branch was working with full vigour but as it started getting success a new chief was appointed illegally. Rumours were spread that the ACB was going to lodge an FIR against a Union Minister," he said.