Najeeb Jung resigns as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi; Arvind Kejriwal says 'I'm surprised'

In a surprise move, Najeeb Jung has resigned from the post of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

New Delhi: In a surprise move, Najeeb Jung on Tuesday resigned from the post of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

The decision came amid a protracted bitter confrontation with the AAP government.

Najeeb Jung says that he would be returning to his first love i.e. academics, according to Lt. Governor's office.

Jung has submitted his resignation to the Government of India.

Jung thanks PM Modi

"Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has submitted his resignation to the Government of India. He thanks the Prime Minister for all the help and cooperation he received during his tenure," the LG's office said in a statement.

"Jung also thanked the people of Delhi for all their support and affection, especially during the one year of President's Rule in Delhi, when he got unstinted support from them and which in turn helped run the administration in Delhi smoothly and effortlessly," the statement said.

Jung also thanked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his association in the last two years.

Noteworthy, Jung had still 1.5 years left in his tenure as L-G of Delhi. 65-year-old Jung, a former IAS officer, had assumed charge of Lt Governor of Delhi on July 9, 2013.

Kejriwal surprised

Although, Kejriwal says, "Jung's resignation is a surprise to me. My best wishes in all his future endeavours."

Sh Jung's resignation is a surprise to me. My best wishes in all his future endeavours. — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 22, 2016

The slugfest between Jung and Kejriwal was all out in the open.

According to Ajay Chaudhary, OSD to Najeeb Jung, "LG said he wanted to spend time with his family, his resignation is for personal reasons."

Congress leader Ajay Maken says, "We would like to know from the Centre what is the reason behind this unceremonious exit."

Reacting to Jung's resignation, BJP spokesperson RP Singh said,"Najeeb Jung was doing a good job, his resignation has come as a surprise to us."