NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday hoped that both the central government and Lt Governor Anil Baijal will comply with the Supreme Court order restoring to the Delhi government its power.
AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha told IANS that Baijal does not hold the same power any more and the Centre must let the elected government work now.
"The BJP today cannot hide behind their own understanding of the Constitution in a way which benefits them politically. They must let the elected government function now," he said.
"The LG, who was rendering all the decisions of the government as unfit or invalid, does not have the same power any more. Today, the powers are restored with the government. The elected government will take all decisions and the LG will only be informed about those decisions, not for his consent but only for his information.
"We hope the LG as well as the BJP will comply with the orders," he said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called a meeting of all cabinet ministers at his residence at 4 p.m. "to discuss critical projects" which he said had been blocked thus far.
In a major victory for Delhi government, a 5-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court ruled that the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) cannot act as an obstructionist to policy decisions taken by the Delhi government.
Penning down the major judgement for the bench, Chief Justice Dipak Misra said, “L-G has no independent decision making power and cannot behave as an obstructionist when the constitution gives primacy to representative for of government and L-G and Aam Aadmi Party-led government must work in a harmonious manner.”
CJI who wrote for Justices A K Sikri and A M Khanwilkar made it clear that, “Delhi government must be given some degree of independence within the areas on which the Constitution allows it to legislate and administer.”
LG is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of Delhi government rules the apex court.
The majority verdict also made it clear that except for three issues, including law and order, Delhi government has the power to legislate and govern on other subjects.
(with input from agencies)