New Delhi: As the tussle between between lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung and Arvind Kejriwal grew over appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting state Chief Secretary, the CM asked Delhiites whether he should be given a free hand to choose his team of officers or not.
Accusing senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin of "being close" to power companies, Kejriwal asked if an officer close to corporate should be given top bureaucratic post in Delhi government. He also asked if a Chief Minister elected by the citizens of the city should have right of selection of officer or not.
Expressing his anger, Kejriwal wrote on microblogging website Twitter - “My Q 2 Delhites - Shud a person perceived to be very close to bijli cos be made CS of Del? Shud elected CM have no say in selection? (Sic)”
My Q 2 Delhites - Shud a person perceived to be very close to bijli cos be made CS of Del? Shud elected CM have no say in selection?(1/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 16, 2015
“All over country, huge nexus betn politicians, officers n cos. In Del, v r trying to break that nexus.That's why whole system opposing, (Sic)” he added.
All over country, huge nexus betn politicians, officers n cos.In Del, v r trying to break that nexus.That's why whole system opposing(2/2)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 16, 2015
Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also backed Kejriwal over the said issue saying the head of the government should be free to choose his own team of officers.
"Like it or not, right choice or wrong, a CM must be free to choose his or her own team of officers. This back seat driving damages democracy," Omar posted on Twitter.
Like it or not, right choice or wrong a CM must be free to choose his or her own team of officers. This back seat driving damages democracy.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 16, 2015
The National Conference working president also lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying there was a gap in his words and deeds on Federalism.
"Just yesterday the PM was talking up Federalism in India while in China. Clearly there is a gap between words and deeds #DelhiGovt," he added.
Just yesterday the PM was talking up Federalism in India while in China. Clearly there is a gap between words & deeds #DelhiGovt
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) May 16, 2015
Kwjriwal sought opinion of Delhities through social media, hours after Gamlin wrote a scathing letter to Jung claiming that she was pressurised by a senior bureaucrat in CM's office not to be in race for the post due to her alleged proximity to BSES discoms.
Najeeb Jung and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are at loggerhead after LG yesterday gave the additional charge of Chief Secretary to Gamlin, a 1984-batch IAS officer.
