Holding himself up as the last word of authority in the national capital, Jung wrote to the Delhi Government saying that "the constitutionally valid and consistent definition of 'government' means 'the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi'..."
The turf war between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung resurfaced with a vengeance over the reconstitution of the Delhi Commission for Women and the appointment of AAP member Swati Maliwal as its chairperson.
Holding himself up as the last word of authority in the national capital, Jung wrote to the Delhi Government saying that "the constitutionally valid and consistent definition of 'government' means 'the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi'..."
LG Jung called the appointment of Maliwal without "legal sanctity" and any future actions by her or any other member "ultra vires and infructuous". Jung's latest beef with the government's actions comes after being bypassed in the appointment process.
The notification of reconstitution and the appointment of Maliwal did not come to Jung for his signature, which is the due process. Former Delhi chief minister and veteran politician Sheila Dikshit told dna in no uncertain terms that "every government has to work within the constitutional provisions, which in this case say that the Lieutenant Governor is the Constitutional head." Dikshit further explained "in this scheme of things his final signature on any notification cannot be overridden. It is required to make the appointment valid."
"All processes and laws are laid down," added Dikshit. "There are always differences of opinion but one has to sit down and sort them out. What's happening now unfortunately is that these differences are coming out in the open."
Though Dikshit dodged the issue of the LG calling himself the government of Delhi, despite there being an elected government in place, she said that his claim was valid in so far as his signature could not be done away with.
The letter, dated July 21, said the notification had been issued "without the approval" of the Lieutenant Governor. It holds up its claim by referring to a letter by the Ministry of Home Affairs that states that with respect to Delhi, 'government' means the Lieutenant Governor.
So far there has been no official response from the AAP government. While the two secretariats battle it out, Maliwal says she has not received any official communication from the LG's office. All she has is the notification from the Delhi government of her appointment, and plans to go by that. "I will carry on my work, till I receive any formal notification," said Maliwal.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}