New Delhi: As the power struggle between Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal escalates, the former on Wednesday ordered reinstatement of Anindo Majumdar as Principal Secretary (Services) who was removed by the Aam Aadmi Party government.
Justifying Majumdar's reinstatement, the L-G said that under the Constitution and through delegation of powers he is free to act in his executive capacity. He also said that the order issued by the Kejriwal to officers is fundamentally at variance with the Constitution.
The order came after following a bitter war of words between the two sides over the appointment of senior IAS officer Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Delhi Chief Secretary.
Both the sides are claiming to have the power and authority over the other to choose bureaucrats and have approached President Pranab Mukherjee over the issue. Jung on Wednesday also stayed all orders issued by Delhi government related to postings and transfer of officers without consulting him.
The Lt Governor wrote to Kejriwal, mentioning his "constitutional power" to appoint and transfer bureaucrats. In the letter, the Jung challenged AAP government's order to bureaucrats not to follow his directives without getting approval from the Chief Minister or any other minister.
Even as the war continues, Home Minister Rajnath Singh met President Pranab Mukherjee but said no discussion was held on the Delhi issue. He said, "The Lt Governor and Chief Minister should find a solution to this issue. Both should sit together and resolve the issue."
Sources added that the Attorney General has given his opinion to the L-G and Rajnath Singh apprised the President of the same. The President has sought legal opinion on the issue after he had separate meetings with both Kejriwal and Jung on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging interference by the Central government. He has said that the Centre is trying to run the Delhi government through backdoor and asked the PM to let his government function as per the Constitution.
Government sources said the Centre has refused to intervene saying it is simply an ego clash between Kejriwal and Jung.
Kejriwal had earlier called a meeting of all department heads to apprise them of the administration rules and insisted the Lt Governor be kept out of loop.
Amid its bitter face-off with the Lt Governor, the AAP government also directed all its officials to apprise the Chief Minister or Minister concerned about any oral or written direction from the L-G or his office before following them.
In a directive, the order signed by Kejriwal, said the bureaucrats including the Chief Secretary will have to first consult with the Chief Minister and other Ministers about any communication from the Lt Governor before acting on such directions.
"To ensure smooth functioning of day-to-day affairs of our government in accordance with the Constitution of India, the Government of NCT of Delhi Act and Transaction of Business of the Delhi Government it is hereby ordered that any direction or order, whether oral or written, received from Honorable Lt Governor or his office to the Chief Secretary or any administrative Secretary, shall first be submitted by the concerned administrative Secretary/Chief Secretary on the file to the Minister in-charge and the Chief Minister for a decision," the order said.
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