AAP, Kejriwal hail verdict as victory for people of Delhi and democracy

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on Wednesday said the Supreme Court’s judgment on the power struggle in Delhi was in its favour.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called the verdict a “big victory” for Delhi residents and democracy.

Kejriwal accused the Narendra Modi government at the Centre of “illegally” curbing the powers of the elected government. He was referring to a May 2015 notification issued by the ministry of home affairs, which said the transfer and posting of bureaucrats falls under the LG’s jurisdiction.

“If the Modi government had not withdrawn the powers of the elected government through illegal orders, a precious three years would have been saved...Today’s order reinforces people’s faith in judiciary,” Kejriwal said.

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court’s verdict on Wednesday on the tussle between Lieutenant Governor and the elected government has given a new lease of hope to Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy, who has found himself involved in an imbroglio with governor Kiran Bedi.

“The ruling given by the Supreme Court is what I have been reiterating for the past two years in the Puducherry Union Territory,” a beaming Narayanasamy told Hindustan Times.

Like in Delhi, Puducherry has witnessed problems between the L-G and the CM over several issues.

But the SC stand has now given the elected government in Puducherry a reason to cheer.

“The SC verdict has validated that the elected government is the final authority. L-G should talk with the council of ministers before taking a decision. There are no merits in the L-G taking unilateral decisions. The SC verdict fixing the power tussle in Delhi is very relevant to Puducherry too,” the CM said.