Headlines
Delhi government removes principal secretary
New Delhi, May 16
The confrontation between
the AAP government and Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung escalated on Saturday
over a fresh transfer while Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused Jung
of seeking to "render the democratically-elected government ineffective"
over his order for posting the acting chief secretary.
Jung's
office said he had acted as per constitution and "delay" by over 40
hours by the chief minister had necessitated the orders concerning
Shakuntala Gamlin as interim chief secretary, which had sparked of the
whole row.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia
accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to "overthrow" the
government through Jung but the party dismissed the allegation.
Even
as Gamlin took charge on Saturday, the Delhi government transferred
Principal Secretary, Services, Anindo Majumdar who issued the order of
posting her as acting chief secretary. Jung's office, however, said that
the removal does not have his approval as he was the "competent
authority to transfer officials of that rank" and the Delhi government
order was "ab initio void."
In a related development, Parimal
Rai, who was backed by Kejriwal, declined to become acting chief
secretary, noting that he respects the Lt Governor's directions.
Kejriwal,
who has sought time to meet President Pranab Mukherjee over Gamlin's
posting, wrote a two-page, strongly-worded letter to Jung, saying he waa
"simply aghast by your questionable instructions" issued directly to
Majumdar to the post of an officer of "your choice" as the acting chief
secretary.
"In doing so, you have bypassed the democratically-elected government," he said.
Citing
constitutional provisions and rules, he called upon Jung to "remain
within the confines of the constitution and the laws relating to the
government of NCT of Delhi".
"Whatever the political pressures,
you have a duty to uphold the constitution," he said, also accusing Jung
of "pushing hard" for Gamlin.
"Despite clear procedure, you have
opted not to follow the law but have tried to takeover the government
and the orders directly issued by principal secretary, services, who I
believe was intimidated into acting in concert with you," charged
Kejriwal, terming it "a thinly disguised attempt to render the
democratically elected government ineffective" and administer Delhi
directly.
Noting his government had been hesitant in appointing
Gamlin due reasons cited in a secret note from Power Minister Satyendra
Jain, he said he "again strongly opposes her appointment and request you
to kindly review the same".
Jain's note accused Gamlin of "aggressively lobbying" within the government to promote interests of some power companies.
Jung's
office had rubbished Kejriwal's allegations and said the lt. governor
had acted "fully conscious of his duties and responsibilities under the
constitution".
It said that Kejriwal was duly consulted on the
file concerning appointment of acting chief secretary and relevant note
sheet was in the public domain.
"The delay on the part of the
chief minister of over 40 hours necessitated a direction from the
lt.governor that orders be issued," the release said, adding the office
of chief secretary cannot be left vacant as the officer was required not
just for normal work but for any emergency that may come up.
Meanwhile, Sisodia accused the BJP.
"In Delhi yesterday (Friday) the BJP made an attempt to overthrow the government through the the LG," he tweeted.
He
said the constitution says the lt. governor will talk to the minister
concerned in case of differences on an issue and, if not satisfied, will
write to the cabinet.
"If the issue is not resolved, he will
write to the president. Whatever directions come from the president, he
will tell it to the minister and not to an officer directly."
BJP spokesman Nalin Kohli, however, rejected the AAP allegations as "baseless".
"If there is a constitutional crisis created by the chief minister, it is mandatory for the Lt governor to resolve it," he said.