NEW DELHI:Against the backdrop of the ongoing tussle between the AAP Government and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung over the transfer and postings of bureaucrats, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia on Monday called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sources said Rajnath told the Delhi Chief Minister that government could function as per rule book to avoid confrontations and advised them to avoid confrontation and resolve all issues with the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor amicably.
The advice came when Kejriwal told the Home Minister about the difficulties being faced by the Delhi government. During an hour-long meeting, Kejriwal raised the issue of appointments in Delhi government and control over Anti Corruption Branch. “Being an elected government we should be allowed to function,” said Kejriwal. Sources said Kejriwal asked the Home Minister to intervene and ensure that all issues with the Lieutenant Governor were resolved amicably. Kejriwal has been advised not to adopt a confrontationist approach. Moreover, it was pointed out to the CM that the rules framed by the Ministry of Home Affairs were in accordance with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, they said.
Emerging from the meeting, Sisodia said that they had raised all issues concerning Delhi but there was still no outcome. This is the first time Kejriwal has met the Home Minister since the tussle between the AAP Government and the L-G over the appointment of senior IAS officer Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary. The AAP Government has challenged in court an MHA notification which said that the L-G has the final say in the appointment of senior bureaucrats.
