NEW DELHI: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal, whose appointment by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government stoked a controversy, has alleged that lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung asked her not to attend office. She said Jung told her the office will be locked.
Jung's office, however, denied the charge about the locking of the DCW office.
"The LG has called me and told me that I should not come to office from tomorrow (Thursday) and all my files are being taken back. The DCW office will be locked," she tweeted on Wednesday.
>>Related: Jung-Kejriwal Row Escalates Over DCW Head's Appointment
Later, Maliwal sought to clarify her tweet, saying that Jung's office had communicated to her office not to come to work.
Jung has scrapped the appointment of Maliwal, and declared his office synonymous with the government of Delhi. The latest flashpoint between the LG and Arvind Kejriwal's government was a letter from Jung’s office to the chief minister saying his approval had not been sought in appointing Maliwal as the new DCW chief.
Maliwal said nobody could "shake her morale" and that she will continue to work for women's rights, in an indication of defying LG's
order.
Sources in LG's office, however, strongly rejected her claim that Jung had called her personally, adding none from his staff had even talked to her.
"The LG is very upset with the way such allegations are being levelled against him," they said.
The 30-year-old women's activist said she will continue in her capacity as DCW chief till further government orders in this regard.
"I have a schedule for field visit tomorrow (Thursday) and I will stick to it. I will follow the government orders. I think the issue will be resolved," she said.
The government led by Arvind Kejriwal said she will continue in her post. A final decision on the entire issue will be taken tomorrow (Thursday), said a senior government official.
"Nobody could shake my morale. I have been fighting for women within the system for last 10 years and will continue to do so.
"I want to assure the women that I will continue to work in the grassroots. I have been fighting for women within the system for last 10 years and will continue to do so," she said.
Maliwal also said she respects the "constitutionality" of LG's office and hoped the "minor" issue will be resolved.
"I think this is a minor technical glitch because what is being said is that the file (my appointment) was not sent to LG's office. I think it will get resolved. It is not a very major issue," she told reporters.
Meanwhile, Jung, who has declared his office synonymous with the government of Delhi, has sought an explanation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on how Maliwal, wife of an AAP leader, was appointed.
The latest flashpoint between the LG and Arvind Kejriwal's governmentwas a letter from Jung’s office to the chief minister saying his approval had not been sought in appointing Maliwal.