PM-Kejriwal spat intensifies further

Kejriwal, in his attack, also reiterated that both Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi and the LG were taking orders directly from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was not kept in the loop as it is believed that he is of the opinion that an elected government of a state should have the final say, an opinion which is stark contrast to that of the Prime Minister.

Arvind Kejriwal on Friday issued a letter citing a previous case of the Delhi government where a document to the then Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, undersigned by P Chidambaram, mentions in very clear terms that the LG “is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Government of NCT of Delhi (Council of Ministers).” According to the letter, “an analysis of Article 239AA shows: (i) The legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory has the power to make laws for the whole or any part of the NCT, with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List or in the Concurrent List [Article 239AA(3)].”

It further mentions: “(iv) The Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as the Head is required to aid and <g data-gr-id="21">advice</g> the Lt. Governor in the exercise of his functions in relation to matters to which the Legislative Assembly has <g data-gr-id="19">power</g> to make laws [Article 239AA (4)].

According to sources, the Chief Minister felt that the Centre’s constant intervention was portraying the BJP in very poor light in other states of the country as well. 

Jung, on the other hand, elaborated: “My office quoted the legally established definition of ‘Government’, as stated in the statute book including the clarification issued by the Government of India, in 2002 which reads ‘Government’ means the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi appointed by the President under Article 239 read with Article 239AA of the Constitution.”