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Delhi government challenges Centre’s notification on LG’s powers

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Najeeb Jung Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: The AAP government on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court challenging the Centre’s recent notification giving the Lieutenant Governor absolute powers in appointing bureaucrats in the national capital.

The petition was mentioned before a bench of justices B.D. Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva, saying, “The Delhi government has decided to move against the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA’s) May 21 notification.”

“As per the notification, the LG would have jurisdiction over matters connected with services, public orders, police and land, and…services of bureaucrats…allowing him discretionary powers to seek the opinion of the CM,” it said.

The petition was mentioned by Delhi government standing counsel Raman Duggal a day after the Centre moved the Supreme Court challenging an order of the Delhi HC which termed as “suspect” MHA’s recent notification barring the city government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) from acting against its officers in criminal offences.

The HC had also held that the LG cannot act in his discretion.

Mr. Duggal also said that he has challenged all notifications issued by the Centre in the past. The bench has listed the matter for hearing on Friday.

The Delhi government, led by the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has also challenged the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary by the LG.

LG meets Union Home Secretary

Meanwhile, Delhi LG Najeeb Jung met Union Home Secretary L.C. Goyal on Thursday, amidst the ongoing tussle between him and the AAP government.

The meeting came a day after the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution rejecting the Home Ministry notification giving absolute powers to the LG in several matters, including transfer and postings of senior bureaucrats.

After the meeting with the Home Secretary, the LG refused to speak to media persons.

Sources said they discussed the issue of Wednesday’s resolution passed by the Delhi Assembly and the government’s stand in the apex court with regard to the SLP.

(PTI)

HC vindicates AAP government in dispute with centre

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Kejriwal has described the Centre’s stand as perfidy and a blatant attempt to provide cover to corrupt officials. He has also said he will challenge the Centre’s notification in court.

arvind-najeeb

New Delhi: In the midst of a dispute with the Centre, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has received vindication in court.

The anti-corruption branch of Delhi, which comes under Delhi Police, must take its orders from Kejriwal’s government and not the Centre, the Delhi High Court said on 25 May.

The judge also said that Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung is “bound to act upon the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers”.

“Today’s judgement is a huge embarassment for the central govt, (sic),” jubilant Kejriwal tweeted.

Last week, the Centre said its officers could not be probed by the ACB, Delhi because it doesn’t have the right to intervene in matters of land, the Delhi Police, or the appointments of key bureaucrats.

The Centre also said the LG, who acts as its representative in Delhi, is not obliged to consult Kejriwal on these issues.

Kejriwal has described the Centre’s stand as perfidy and a blatant attempt to provide cover to corrupt officials. He has also said he will challenge the Centre’s notification in court.

The clash between the Centre and Kejriwal is over how their powers are divided in Delhi’s administration, a union territory.

Earlier in the day, in a maverick move, he summoned a cabinet meeting at a city public park and sought the attendance of the “aam aadmi” or common man that his party is named after.

Delhi government formation: Najeeb Jung invites parties for talks to end political uncertainty

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najeeb_jung

New Delhi: Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Monday invited BJP, Congress and AAP for talks, kick-starting fresh efforts to install an elected government and will take a final decision soon to end the eight-month-long political uncertainty in Delhi.

Sources in LG’s office said a “final decision” on the political situation is likely to be taken at the earliest based on views of the three political parties.

Jung first invited BJP for talks on whether it is interested in taking a shot at the power, being the single largest party in the Assembly.

Sources in BJP said the dominant view in the party is that it should go for polls and not take power by “manipulation” as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rating was still going “high” and enthusiasm among the party workers has increased following victories in assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.

“We are preferring elections. There is little possibility of the party forming a government in Delhi,” a senior Delhi BJP leader told PTI, adding a final decision on the issue will be taken by the top leadership in a day or two.

Earlier, Delhi BJP Chief Satish Upadhyay and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan called on Jung. The meeting was described by the party as “informal”.

The Lt. Governor also invited AAP and Congress for talks on government formation although both the parties have been demanding fresh election and accused him of acting at the behest of BJP.

Both Congress and AAP have been maintaining that they were fully ready for fresh elections and accused BJP of running away from polls for “fear of defeat”.

Supreme Court slams Centre and Lt. Governor on delay in government formation in Delhi

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The court also said that information about the alleged accused or his whereabouts by the informant will be recorded in writing or in electronic form.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed both Centre and Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung for delay in taking decision regarding government formation in Delhi.

“Why was there a five-month delay in breaking the Delhi deadlock?” the apex court asked, adding, “The L-G should have taken the decision at the earliest.”

Delhi has been under President’s Rule after former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned on February 14 over lack of support from the Congress and the BJP on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

The rebuke came as the Centre informed the court that President Pranab Mukherjee had sanctioned inviting the BJP – as the single largest party – to form a “popular government”.

The court said, “Every time just before a hearing, the Centre will come out with some statement, but nothing happens. We have given enough time but nothing came out.”

The Centre reportedly pointed out that President’s Rule for Delhi was valid at least till February.

Meanwhile, AAP chief took it to micro-blogging site Twitter accusing BJP of playing tricks.

Kejriwal further questioned, “How will BJP form government? They don’t have nos. Why don’t they just call elections? If BJP discloses all black money holders’ names, then who will give them money to fight elections in some states and buy MLAs in others?”

The apex court is also reported to have gone ahead with hearing the merits of a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party seeking dissolution of the Delhi Assembly and announcement of fresh elections.

The BJP had won 31 seats in the Delhi election but three of its MLAs, including its chief ministerial candidate Harsh Vardhan, contested and won the national election in May. The party will strive to retain those seats in by-polls to be held on November 25. If it wins all three, its tally will rise to 32, including ally Akali Dal, which is closer to the majority mark in the 70-member Delhi assembly.

The AAP has 27 seats while the Congress has 8 in the 70-member Assembly.

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