Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Cancels All Appointments Made BY Delhi AAP Govt

20 May, New Delhi

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung Wednesday cancelled all appointments made by Delhi government in the last four days and asserted he was the sole authority in matters of ordering transfer and posting of bureaucrats.

In a letter to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Lt Governor challenged AAP government’s order to bureaucrats not to follow his directives without securing approval from the Chief Minister or any other minister. Jung also contested AAP government’s instructions to the officials to not route files through his office, saying he has been vested with power to decide on major policy issues.

Explaining constitutional provisions and norms laid down in Government of NCT of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business rules of the Delhi Government, Mr Jung asked the AAP government to follow the rules and procedures.

Kejriwal had on Monday directed bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary to first consult him and other Ministers before taking directions from the Lt Governor.

Tuesday , both Mr Kejriwal and Jung had taken their tussle to President Pranab Mukherjee, accusing each other of violating the Constitution and overstepping their jurisdictions.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the city government to function independently and accused the Centre of trying to run the Delhi administration through the Lt Governor.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Kejriwal said the elected government must have a say in distribution of work to senior officials. The appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary last week had triggered a tussle between the AAP government and Jung.

Kejriwal had alleged that the LG was trying to take over the administration.