Kejriwal accuses BJP of curtailing power of Delhi Government through a Bill

NEW DELHI: Following the passing of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, Delhi Chief Minsiter Arvind Kejriwal said that the Bhartiya Janata Party BJP is trying to curtail the power of the Delhi Government by passing a bill in the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy introduced the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, that seeks to give more powers to Delhi lieutenant-governor (L-G).

Condemning the move by the government, Kejriwal termed it as "BJP's unconstitutional and anti-democracy move".

Further adding that as BJP could not make it in the recently held Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) bypoll, the saffron party is now trying to curtail the powers of the elected government through a Bill.

"After being rejected by ppl of Delhi (8 seats in Assembly, 0 in MCD bypolls), BJP seeks to drastically curtail powers of elected government through a Bill in LS today. Bill is contrary to Constitution Bench judgement. We strongly condemn BJP''s unconstitutional n anti-democracy move (sic),"Kejriwal tweeted.

Kejriwal also highlighted that the Bill is against the July 4, 2018 Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court. The judgment ruled that except in cases of land, police and public order, the elected government has the power to make decisions while informing the Lieutenant Governor. The verdict was silent on services and that case is still before the Supreme Court.

The verdict was taken into consideration following the scuffle of power between the Delhi Government and the Lieutenant Governor's office.

"The Bill says- 1. For Delhi, "Govt" will mean LG Then what will elected govt do?... 2. All files will go to LG This is against 4.7.18 Constitution Bench judgement which said that files will not be sent to LG, elected govt will take all decisions and send copy of decision to LG," Kejriwal said in another tweet.

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia tweeted, "BJP has brought a new law in Parliament today - 1. The Lieutenant Governor will be the government in Delhi. 2. The Chief Minister and the Minister will have to send every file to LG.Before the election, the BJP's manifesto says that Delhi will be made a full state. Winning the election, it is said that LG will be the only government in Delhi."

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, in a press conference held by the Deputy CM, Sisodia termed the amendments as "autocratic".

He further questioned "what is the need of an elected government and make a show of being democratic if the elected government have no power to take decisions?"

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