Delhi chief minister Arvind
Kejriwal's words epitomized the two day special session of Delhi assembly that
ended today.
His concluding speech (or parting
shot) captured the essence with which the special session was called.
He challenged the Central
government, that is led by Narendra Modi of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on interfering
in affairs of the Delhi government and warned it on 'trying to take over Delhi
through the Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung'.
The two day assembly session on
May 26 and 27 was a confrontationist response of Kejriwals's attitude on the
notification issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on May 21. The notifications
makes bureaucratic appointment an exclusive domain of the L-G and also bars the
Delhi Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) from taking cognizance against the Central
Government employees.
Scathing, even unparliamentary
words were used against the L-G. He was blamed to run to save his post by indulging
in activities against the Delhi government. Centre was again and again blamed
for 'running Delhi by proxy' after its humiliating electoral loss that reduced
the largest party of December 2013 assembly polls to just three seats in
February 2015. A demand was made to give the Delhi assembly powers to 'impeach'
the L-G. Resolutions against the Centre were passed. Its ministers including
Narendra Modi were targeted. An AAP MLA
tore the MHA notification.
Delhi High Court's observation
that called the notification 'suspect' while rejecting bail to a Delhi Police
constable booked by the ACB was quoted behind the logic and constitutional interpretation
given by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders.
To sum up, Arvind Kejriwal, with
his concluding remarks, refused to obey the MHA notification. He had done so
already with his many defying acts including the one of transfer of officials a
day ago without the informing the L-G. He chose the assembly for his political
power display. And he chose the Delhi assembly to further his political
message.
He said it was not a
constitutional crisis but was a political one, created by the Centre. He said
the Delhi assembly could take care of the salary heads of bureaucrats under it
and they should discharge their duties without any fear.
Now, we cannot say whom they are,
the bureaucrats, repulsive of - Kejriwal or the Centre. And going by the
conduct of Kejriwal and his government in the Delhi, he is to carry the blame for
it.
The row that began with
Shakuntala Gamlin’s appointment as Delhi's acting chief secretary saw heads of
other civil services officials roll in an ugly public display. IAS officers
have held two meetings since then and reports say they are not happy with the
situation and want a solution at the earliest. But from the developments so
far, we can say, it is not the Centre, but the state government IAS officers
are miffed at.
And while saying so, we did not
get any indications that he was going to the court the next morning against the
MHA notification. He said he would oppose it (and the Centre) come what may but
he did not give us any hint about the simplest and the most logical outcome of
the logjam - the court interpretation of
the constructional provisions and other laws governing Delhi.
Given the kind of stuff Kejriwal
is made up of, he would not accept any interpretation by the Centre, even if it
comes through the President.
And given the politics involved
in interpretation of constitutional provisions, he would love to drag it as far
as possible. After all, it would give him a chance to divert attention from his
unfulfilled promises and a shabby governance so far (in his 100 days). Yes, he has been a big letdown for Delhi and
for those who went for the political experiment called the AAP.
Let's see how long the issue
lasts constitutionally?
The Home Ministry filed an SLP
(Special Leave Petition) in the Supreme Court today against the Delhi High
Court order of May 25 denying bail to the constable. It has come quickly even
if we were expecting the move from stakeholders.
Now, the apex court will decide
jurisdiction of the ACB. In doing so, it will certainly interpret and lay down
the constitutional norms. If it comes out to be what Kejriwal is trying to
prove, we will see an even more aggressive Kejriwal on the whole issue. On the
other hand, anything contrary would force him to reconsider his moves. And the
possible responses would include playing 'victimization' card.