Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Arvind Kejriwal on Collision Course as War Over Files Escalates
New Delhi: In an escalation of hostilities between the two top men of Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserting that all government files must come to him.
Mr Kejriwal had recently directed ministers and officials of his government to avoid “bothering” Mr Jung’s office by sending him files.
In a sharp rejoinder on Sunday, Mr Jung referred to the Constitution and the Delhi government Act to underscore that “the role of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers is to aid and advise” the Lt Governor, who is the “final authority of all laws enacted by the assembly and decisions taken by the government.”
A statement from Mr Jung’s office said, “The Lt. Governor has instructed that the directions issued to the officers be withdrawn.”
The tussle between the Lieutenant Governor, who reports to the central government, and Mr Kejriwal, reportedly began soon after the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Delhi in February.
Mr Kejriwal reportedly directed that files related to the police, public order and land – subjects over which his government has no jurisdiction – should be routed through him. The Lieutenant Governor reportedly wrote back in April saying that he was not obliged to share these documents.
On April 29, Mr Kejriwal responded with an order that said that “to expedite decision-making,” files related to subjects that the Delhi government does control will be decided “without bothering the office of the Lieutenant Governor.”
On Sunday, Mr Jung directed the Chief Minister’s office to withdraw that order.
Mr Kejriwal and his party have long campaigned for the control of the police and law and order; they say the Delhi government is powerless without these.
“The Chief Minister should understand that there is a law and Constitution. The Lt Governor is the head. He has to work with democracy,” said BJP leader Satish Upadhyaya, whose party rules the Centre.
