Centre doing to stop Delhi govt’s work: AAP on ’unconstitutional’ ordinance

The Aam Admi Party has lashed out at the Central government for nullifying the latest Supreme Court order under which the Delhi government had the right to transfer the posting of officers.

A statement issued by the AAP government stated the Centre's ordinance attempted to snatch powers given by Supreme Court to Delhi's elected government. The AAP party said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government did it to stop the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's work. Calling the ordinance 'unconstitutional', the AAP Party said, "Cente passed an ordinance at a time when Supreme Court will be closed for vacation".

AAP leader and senior Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha also lambasted at BJP-led central government. Chadha said the 'reckless political ordinance has violated "Federalism: part of the basic structure of Constitution and Constitutional Powers given Elected Governments".

" Principle of Accountability of Civil Services to Ministers is not just Contempt of Court but also Contempt of the Electorate," Chadha added.

Apart from Chadah, Delhi Education Minister Atishi also hit out at the Modi government pertaining to the ordinance. She said that the ordinance says that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would not govern the Delhi government. "But the Centre will run it. It is clear that the Central government is fearful of the Aam Admi Party Government. Centre became fearful of the Supreme Court ruling. Therefore they have passed such an ordinance".

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj also termed the ordinance an "act of dishonesty and treachery".

"The Centre has done treachery with the ruling of the Supreme Court, Indian Constitution. With the people of Delhi. The people of Delhi elected Arvind Kejriwal three times. Today the Centre is saying that such a leader has no powers".

"Lieutenant Governor who has not been elected but rather imposed on the people of Delhi is being conferred with powers of posting and transfer. The ordinance shows disrespect towards the Supreme Court ruling," the AAP leader said.

About controversial Delhi's ordinance:

On 19 May, the Central Government constituted the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA). Decisions related to the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers will be done through NCCSA. The member of the NCCSA will include Delhi's chief minister, Chief Secretary, and Principal Secretary Home. Delhi's CM will be the head of the authority but the decisions will be taken by the majority. And, in case of any dispute, the final decision will be taken by the LG.

AAP has alleged that "The authority will take decisions by majority. That means decisions will be taken by the Centre's bureaucrats. If it takes any decision that the Centre doesn't like, then the LG will have the power to reverse the decision".

Therefore the ruling party of Delhi has slammed the Centre for taking away the constitutional power of the AAP.

Atishi said the Supreme Court gave the powers to the Delhi government after an eight-year-long battle.

"But the Centre could not tolerate this. The ordinance provides for the creation of a National Capital Civil Service Authority with three members -- CM as its chairman and chief secretary and the principal home secretary as its members. But it is to be noted that the chief secretary and the principal home secretary will be appointed by the Centre.

What did the Supreme Court order say?

On 11 May, a constitutional bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order, and land, in Delhi to the elected government.