Nine advisors to the Delhi government sacked, MHA says no approval sought before their posting

Nine advisors to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi have been removed following a recommendation by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reported CNN-News18.

According to an order issued by General Administration Department of the Delhi government, the MHA had written in its letter that these posts on which the appointees are officiating are not in the list of posts approved for the ministers and the chief minister.
“No prior approval of the central government has been taken for creation of said posts on which these persons have been appointed on a co-terminus basis,” the order stated.

Among the nine advisors whose appointment has been cancelled are Amardeep Tiwari (media advisor to law minister), Arunodya Prakash (media advisor to deputy chief minister), Raghav Chadha (advisor to finance minister), Atishi Marlena (media advisor to deputy chief minister).

Meanwhile, AAP has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre is looking out for ways to attack its people. The party also accused Delhi’s lieutenant governor of political vengeance.
Earlier this year, the Election Commission had recommended the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs on 19 January for holding office of profit. Even then, AAP has alleged conspiracy against its ministers.

However, the Delhi High Court had on 23 March set aside the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs. It also transferred the matter to the Election Commission allowing the AAP MLAs a chance to present their side through an oral hearing, media reports said.

During the arguments, the MLAs had told the high court that the Election Commission’s order disqualifying them for allegedly holding office-of-profit was passed in “complete violation of natural justice” as they were not given an opportunity to explain their stand before the poll panel.