Congress wants Delhi BJP to support it in opposing GNCTD Bill: Singhvi

The Bill says that the 'government', referred to in any law to be passed by the legislative assembly, would mean the Lieutenant Governor. As per the Bill, the Delhi government must obtain the opinion of the LG before implementing any policy decision.

Defending the bill, Union Minister Kishan Reddy asserted that the amendments have been brought to address certain ambiguities in the 1991 law and rejected allegations that it was an attempt to usurp the powers of the elected government.

During the debate, Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi tore into the proposed legislation, dubbing it is "most unconstitutional bill" which the House has ever received and went on to say that "even the Delhi BJP should join us in opposing this". 

"Make no mistake friends this is not about AAP, or Congress or BJP. It's about the fundamentals of federalism...," he said, and alleged the current regime at Centre was engaged into "coercive federalism".

Reacting to it, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, "the passage of GNCTD Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha is an insult to the people of Delhi.

The Bill effectively takes away powers from those who were voted by people and gives powers to run Delhi to those who were defeated. BJP has cheated the people."

Sanjay Singh, MP of Aam Admi Party (AAP) which is in power in Delhi, took a jibe at the BJP saying the bill has been brought as it lost assembly elections twice. 

"I am seeking justice for two crore citizens of Delhi and for 130 crore Indians. I am standing here to save the Constitution of India," he said. A notice moved by Singh regarding the bill was not approved by the Chair.