AAP govt moves resolution against MHA notification: As it happened

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has convened a two-day emergency session of the Legislative Assembly beginning Tuesday amid a bitter fight between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

AAP govt moves resolution against MHA notification: As it happened

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has convened a two-day emergency session of the Legislative Assembly beginning Tuesday amid a bitter fight between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

Here are the updates:

  • Everybody should work within the constitutional provisions. The Delhi government has been elected by the people. The central government will not put up any hurdles in its functioning. We will also give them full cooperation: Rajnath Singh.
  • I was seeking an answer from LG if he has anytime held a position in reliance, for his profile says so: AAP MLA Alka Lamba.
  • Alka Lamba said something objectionable, I asked Speaker to take cognizance which he didnt: Sharma.
  • We have all the right to protest. This is democracy. I think the Speaker was biased and arrogant, the entire AAP is arrogant: Sharma.
  • If Kejriwal thinks that the MHA notification is not right they should reach the court. AAP MLAs were using unparliamentary language against the LG and PM Narendra Modi, says BJP MLA OP Sharma.
  • Speaker calls Marshals to throw out BJP MLA OP Sharma from Delhi Assembly.
  • AAP MLA Adarsh Shastri seeks amendment in Article 155 of the Constitution seeking powers for Delhi Assembly to impeach the LG.
  • Delhi Assembly adopts the motion to discuss the notification issued by MHA.
  • MHA notification disrespects people's mandate given to the AAP government, says Sisodia.
  • It appears the Centre is afraid of the action Delhi government is taking against corrupt officials, says Sisodia in Assembly.
  • Sisodia says the MHA notification is opposite of what is stated in the Constitution.
  • Deputy CM Manish Sisodia introduces resolution in the Assembly to discuss Centre's notification on LG's powers.
  • Delhi Assembly special session proceedings are underway.
  • As per reports, the Kejriwal government may, during the Assembly session, pass a resolution against the Centre's notification granting more powers to the LG.
  • Special Assembly session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly begins.
  • Meanwhile, ANI reports that the Kejriwal-led Delhi government today transferred nine IAS officers including one principal secretary and six others.
  • Kejriwal discussed with LG issues relating to functioning of the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government, reports PTI.  
  • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets Lt Governor Najeeb Jung ahead of the special Assembly session. Also present are Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Chief Secretary KK Sharma.
  • The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has convened a two-day emergency session of the Legislative Assembly beginning Tuesday amid a bitter fight between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

The main aim of the 'emergency' Assembly session is to deliberate on the Central government's notification giving absolute powers to the LG in appointment of bureaucrats and issues of police and public order.

The Assembly was originally scheduled to meet in June for the passage of Budget.

Officials said the session will deliberate on the gazette notification issued by the Centre as well as issues relating to sharing of power between the elected government and the LG.

They said the government had sought legal opinion from constitutional expert KK Venugopal and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium and both felt that the notification is against the provisions in the Constitution and laid down norms.

"Legal opinions from noted constitutional expert KK Venugopal and former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium were placed before the Cabinet and discussed in the meeting," the Chief Minister's office said.

The Cabinet also decided that depending on the requirement, the session can be extended further.

In the notification issued on Friday, the Centre gave absolute powers to the LG in appointment of bureaucrats while also clarifying that he need not "consult" the chief minister on subjects like police and public order.

The notification had also barred the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Delhi government from registering any case against officers and political functionaries of the Central government.

However, in a victory for the Kejriwal government the Delhi High Court yesterday ruled that the ACB can act against Delhi Police officials.

The High Court also noted that Lieutenant Governor of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi is bound to act upon the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers who are directly elected by the citizens of Delhi and the Centre's "executive fiat" siding with him is "suspect".

After the notification was issued, Kejriwal had launched a frontal attack on the Centre, accusing it of "back-stabbing" the people of the city by "siding" with the Lt Governor to run Delhi through "backdoor" and protect the corrupt.

Yesterday, in an address at an "open cabinet" to mark 100 days of the AAP government, Kejriwal said that the Centre's notification giving absolute powers to the Lt Governor reflected its "dictatorial attitude" and accused the BJP-led government of taking revenge against people of the city for handing the party a crushing defeat in the assembly polls.

The appointment of senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary by LG earlier this month had triggered a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and LG Jung, with Kejriwal questioning the LG's authority and accusing him of trying to take over the administration.

(With Agency inputs)

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