HC lashes out at Kejriwal for continuing as Delhi CM
The Delhi high court on Friday lashed out at the Arvind Kejriwal-led government over the non-supply of books to the children studying in MCD schools. The court said Mr Kejriwal had put personal interest over the national interest by not resigning from the post of chief minister despite being in jail.
A division bench of acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora made these remarks while dealing with a PIL raising the issue of the poor condition of the MCD schools because of the logjam in the civic body.
The court said the Delhi government was “interested in the appropriation of power”. It further stated that till now it has “politely” emphasised that national interest is “supreme” but the present case has highlighted what was “wrong” and it would pass an order in the matter on Monday
“I am sorry to say you have placed your interest above the interest of the students, the children that are studying. That is very clear and we are going to give that finding that you have placed your political interest at a higher pedestal…It is very unfortunate that you have done this. It is wrong and that is what has got highlighted in this matter,” it said.
“I don’t know how much power you want. The problem is because you are trying to appropriate power, which is why you are not getting power,” the court added.
It is the personal call of the chief minister if he wants the administration to be “paralysed”, the court remarked. The bench further said the persons who lead have to “carry everyone along” as it cannot be a case of “one man upmanship”.
The Delhi government counsel said he was not appearing for the chief minister and assured the court that the issue of non-supply of educational material would be resolved if the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner makes a formal request for financial approvals even in the absence of the civic body’s standing committee.
ACJ Manmohan also commented on the conduct of urban development minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and said that he had turned a blind eye to the plight of students and is shedding crocodile tears.