New Delhi: The confrontation between Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal deepened on Saturday with senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin taking charge as acting Chief Secretary despite being asked not to do so by the AAP government which accused BJP of attempting a "coup" against it through the LG.
Gamlin took charge of the post hours after Kejriwal sent her a letter asking her not to do so as her appointment was "against" the rules.
Jung had yesterday appointed Gamlin as Delhi Chief Secretary, notwithstanding strong opposition to her nomination by Kejriwal dispensation which alleged that she had close links with BSES discoms. The 1984-batch officer has, however, denied the charges saying they were baseless.
Chief Secretary K K Sharma has left for the US on a personal visit due to which the government had to appoint an acting Chief Secretary. Gamlin is currently serving as Power Secretary.
"The BJP through LG of Delhi has attempted a coup against the democratically elected government of Delhi with highest ever mandate in the history of the state.
"This is for the first time that LG is issuing direct instruction to officers, bypassing the chief ministers and council of ministers," Manish Sisodia, who also holds charge of Services department, told PTI.
Meanwhile, Parimal Rai, who was backed by Arvind Kejriwal, declined to become acting Chief Secretary, noting that he respects the Lt Governor's directions.
