Delhi government has called a special assembly session on Tuesday. The two day session has been called to deliberate on Centre’s notification giving absolute powers to Lieutenant Governor in appointment and transfer of bureaucrats and issues of police and public order. A decision in this regard was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi.
After the Home Ministry notification was issued yesterday, Mr Kejriwal has launched a frontal attack on the Centre. He accused Centre of trying to run Delhi through the Lt. Governor. AAP government has upped the ante in its fight with LG over power sharing by calling the Assembly session. The correspondent reports that in the notification issued yesterday, the Centre gave absolute powers to Lt Governor Najeeb Jung in appointment of bureaucrats. The notification also clarified that the Lt Governor need not consult Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on subjects like police and public order.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Delhi government has also been barred from registering any case against officers and political functionaries of the central government. Sources said Delhi government has sought legal opinion from some constitutional experts who felt that the notification is against the provisions in the Constitution.
The tussle between the LG and Chief Minister began last week following appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary by Najeeb Jung. Mr Kejriwal had questioned the LG’s authority and accused him of trying to take over the administration.