NEW DELHI: After some of the Delhi bureaucrats chose to oblige the Lieutenant Governor in the ongoing tussle between the Delhi CM and the LG, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia joined the battle on Monday taking side of his political master. Sisodia said the LG’s directions are against the provisions of law and the Constitution, and accused him of leaking letters to the media.
After some of the Delhi bureaucrats chose to oblige the Lieutenant Governor in the ongoing tussle between the Delhi CM and the LG, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia joined the battle on Monday taking side of his political master. Sisodia said the LG’s directions are against the provisions of law and the Constitution, and accused him of leaking letters to the media.The ugly row began with the appointment of senior IAS officer Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting Chief Secretary of Delhi. Kejriwal had expressed reservations against Gamlin after a confidential report from his Energy Minister that she was close to power distribution companies of Reliance group and was trying extend undue favour.
The LG had reportedly sought opinion of the CM who did not reply within a day. Since the LG felt such a crucial position could not remain vacant, he went ahead with the appointment of Gamlin against Kejriwal’s wishes. Gamlin alleged Kejriwal had asked her not to take up the job but she did not relent.
The CM then asked the Principal Secretary (Services) Anindo Majumdar not to issue the notification but the latter confirmed the appointment after intervention from the LG’s office. The AAP government then replaced Majumdar with Rajendra Kumar, Secretary to the CM. But Jung reversed this saying the order was void without his approval.
The L-G shot off a letter to Kejriwal, making clear that he was the final authority for appointment and transfer of senior bureaucrats. Majumdar found his office locked on Monday in the Delhi Secretariat, reportedly on directions of the CM.
Kejriwal had sought a meeting with the President to take up the matter. His office sources said Monday that President has agreed to meet him on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sisodia said in a letter to the LG that the Chief Minister would write a letter to the Prime Minister on the issue.
LG के जरिये एक चुनी हुई ऐतिहासिक बहुमत वाली सरकार को, उसके मुख्यमंत्री को, कैबिनेट को किनारे करके सीधे सरकार चलाने की कोशिश की गई। 2/7
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 16, 2015
LG के पास मंत्री को बायपास करके किसी अधिकारी को निर्देश देने का अधिकार किसी भी कानून में नहीं है। 6/7
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 16, 2015
“Your (L-G) directions are against the provisions of law and Constitution and therefore cannot be complied with. However, Chief Minister is also writing a letter to PM separately in this regard,” he said.
Sisodia says the Delhi government came to know of the LG’s letter from the media only, and accused him of leaking the letter to the media even before it reached the government.
The Dy CM tweeted: “I am surprised to know from media that Hon LG has written a letter to me. Not received any such letter…(SIC).”
I am surprised to know from media that Hon. LG has written a letter to me. Not received any such letter…..
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 18, 2015
“Strange that a Constitutional Authority leaking letters addressed to Dy CM before it is received. Is it allowed under Constitution of India? (SIC).”
Strange that a Constitutional Authority leaking letters addressed to Dy CM before it is recieved. Is it allowed under Constitution of India?
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 18, 2015
After receiving L-G’s letter, he tweeted, “Letter received from Hon. LG at 14.35, (SIC).”
Letter received from Hon. LG at 14.35.
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 18, 2015
Delhi Govt is not the only one. Puducherry CM also wrote to officers to not take direct orders from LG. pic.twitter.com/VCNPu3xUCM
— Anurag Dhanda (@anuragdhanda) May 18, 2015
