Kejriwal clears Delhi projects but power tussle far from over

new delhi — Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday cleared three back-to-back Delhi projects previously awaiting the Centres decision but the AAPs fight for the administrative control of the capital seemed far from over amid allegations that the BJP-led Central government was defying Supreme Court ruling on who rules the city.

The already stressed ties between the ruling AAP and Lt. Governor Anil Baijal strained further after Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia met him seeking his cooperation in Delhi’s development and good governance.

The Chief Minister alleged that Baijal openly refused to agree that Services Department was under the control of the elected government because a 2015 central Home Ministry order had not been quashed by the Supreme Court in its July 4 ruling that said the central representative was constitutionally bound to listen to the Delhi cabinet.

“This is for the first time in the history of India that the Central

government has openly refused to accept a Supreme Court ruling. If it becomes a precedent, there will be anarchy,” Kejriwal told reporters.

He said the Central government’s intransigent attitude in keeping the Services Department under its control had caused delay in Delhi’s development projects because “they (the BJP) for their political gains will want us to fail as we are their rivals and have to face elections”.

“You have Services but you did not

fill the post of Director, Education. How can we bring reforms in education if there are so many vacancies? Had Services been with us, we would have appointed a new official 15 days ahead to ensure efficiency.”

Baijal, in his remarks on the contentious issue, said the Home Ministry in its on May 21, 2015 notification, which has been upheld by the Delhi High Court, ruled that the elected government will have no executive powers on Services.

The Lt. Governor said he told the Chief Minister and his deputy that in the wake of the judgment of the Supreme Court constitutional bench, the Home Ministry had advised his office that its earlier notification remained valid as nine appeals including the one relating to Services shall be taken up by the regular bench of the apex court separately.

The Chief Minister said despite Lt. Governor’s inflexibility, his government would continue making efforts to expedite development and welfare projects stalled so far.

This is for the first time in the history of India that the Central government has openly refused to accept a Supreme Court ruling. If it becomes a precedent, there will be anarchy,

Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi CM