Rijiju slams Delhi government in IAS officer issue

New Delhi, May 17
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Sunday condemned the Delhi government's move to oppose the appointment of Shankuntala Gamlin as the acting chief secretary, adding that the people of the northeast were upset with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's 'character assassination' of a capable officer.

"The way they are running the government is giving a wrong message. Everyone knows the track record of Gamlin. The people of the northeast are upset with unnecessary character assassination of one of the senior officers by Arvind Kejriwal. He is trying to create anarchy and I condemn this act by the Kejriwal government," said Rijiju.

"We knew from the beginning that Kejriwal's government has no interest in working for the public but only on creating drama. They have proved it that they believe in anarchy. If they are elected by the public in Delhi which is the national capital, they have to work in a certain way," he added.

Rijiju further said the Delhi government has to work within the confines of the Constitution.

"Just because they were elected, doesn't mean that they can do anything. They have to perform under the regulations of the Constitution. They cannot work according to their own will," he said.

He further said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's use of the term 'takhtapalat' was unconstitutional and reflected the city government's "irresponsibility".

"(Gamlin) is a capable officer and she was only appointed for a few days. If she has done anything wrong, they need to prove it. People from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and other northeastern states called me, criticising Kejriwal's move.

"Manish Sisodia should not use words like 'takhtapalat', it is an unconstitutional word. It reflects how irresponsible they are," Rijiju said.

"This is not a matter of the government of India or the home ministry but they are accusing a good officer for no reason. I condemn the act of threatening through showing letters," he added.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had on Friday appointed Gamlin as Delhi's acting chief secretary despite strong opposition from Kejriwal.

Meanwhile, Gamlin, in a written complaint to Jung, claimed that she was being intimidated and blackmailed by senior officials of the Delhi government.

She also accused the state government of casting aspersions on her integrity to service and levelling false charges.