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This will be the first meeting between the chief minister and the lieutenant governor after the apex court order on power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre.
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia will on Friday meet Lt Governor Anil Baijal to discuss the situation arising out of Supreme Court’s verdict. The apex court on Wednesday clipped the power of the L-G and set a clear message in the power struggle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Centre over control of the Delhi government.
This will be the first meeting between the Chief Minister and the lieutenant governor after the top court’s landmark judgement. “The chief minister and the deputy chief minister will meet the L-G tomorrow to discuss the SC verdict,” an official said on Thursday.
Kejriwal had sought a time from Baijal earlier on Thursday to discuss the situation arising out of the apex court order.
Following the order, the relationship between the AAP dispensation and bureaucrats strained further over its transfer and posting order, with Kejriwal warning officers of “serious consequences” if they did not comply with the city government’s directive on transfers and postings.
The Delhi government also explored legal options, including filing contempt petition, against those who refused to comply with the directive, an official said.
Hours after the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement on Wednesday, the government introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making the chief minister the approving authority.
The services department, however, refused to comply, saying the apex court did not abolish May 21, 2015, notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to which services matter lies with the lieutenant governor.
While acknowledging that the Lieutenant Governor was the top executive in Delhi, the top court in its landmark judgement said the LG is bound by the advice of the elected government and must be aligned with the cabinet at all times.
The Supreme Court categorically said the Constitution must be followed at all costs, and that it left no space for anarchy. It also underlined that Delhi does not have full statehood while stating that it does enjoy special status.
The apex court said the LG must work harmoniously with the elected government and on the aid and advice of the cabinet. However, it also asked the elected government to ensure that its decisions have the prior approval of the LG.