Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday threatened to “go to any extent” over the Jan Lokpal bill, which is opposed both by the Congress, whose continued support is essential for the survival of his government, as well as the BJP.
“Corruption is an extremely important issue and I will go to any extent,” he said during an interaction with PTI editors at the agency’s head office in New Delhi.
Asked if he could resign, the Aam Aadmi Party leader responded by affirming that he could go to any extent over the ‘huge’ issue of corruption. That (resignation) you interpret,” he added.
Asserting that both the Congress and the BJP will never allow passage of the bill, Mr. Kejriwal said since the government has decided to probe the alleged corruption in Commonwealth Games projects, Congress’ “pitch” has become more “shrill” in this regard and also there are allegations against the BJP, which is in power in MCD for past seven years.
Last week, the Delhi Cabinet cleared the draft of the much talked-about Jan Lokpal bill which provides for covering all public servants — from chief minister to Group D employees — and seeks life term as maximum punishment for those found guilty of corruption.
Bringing the Jan Lokpal bill to contain corruption was a key election promise made to the voters by Aam Aadmi Party.
“They (Congress) realise that if there is a strong Lokpal then many of these people will get into trouble. For seven years BJP is in power in MCD and they may also get into trouble. If the bill is passed then all these CWG cases will go to Lokpal,” the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Kejriwal also said, “We have written to Home Minister to withdraw the (2002) order which directs Delhi government to take approval of the ministry before passage of any bill in the Assembly” and asserted that the city government cannot follow these “unconstitutional rules”.
“That was only an order and which is completely against the Constitution. How can an order by the Home Ministry curtail law making powers of Delhi Assembly. It is a very, very serious issue...I have taken oath of the Constitution and not Home Ministry’s order. I will uphold the Constitution.”
He added that “When I saw the order after becoming Chief Minister, I was completely flabbergasted. How can they do that. Then I told my officials to show me the history. I have a list of 13 legislations in which they did not take any approval.
The legislations are held back in Home Ministry for six-seven years. If this is the case, then how can the assembly make law. Sheila Dikshit used to pass law before taking Centre’s approval.”
Mr. Kejriwal had on Friday asked Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung not to protect the interest of the Congress and the Home Ministry, which were keen on stalling his government’s Jan Lokpal bill.
“We have written to Home Minister to withdraw the (2002) order which directs Delhi government to take approval of the Ministry before passage of any bill in the Assembly,” he said.
Questioning the validity of the MHA order, Mr. Kejriwal said government will not send the bill to the Home Ministry for approval.
The Constitution says the Delhi government has “power to make law except in three subjects. But they cannot make any law which is repugnant to any central law. If they are, and if President grants assent after the passage of the law, then that also can be done.”
“That means we do not have to take approval before introduction of a bill. That is the power given by the Constitution to Delhi. Constitution is supreme. Law—making powers of an assembly have to defined by the Constitution and not by anybody else,” he said.
Referring to provisions in the Government of National Territory of Delhi Act, he said it stated that if there is a law which is a money bill or which is repugnant to any central law, then LG’s recommendation would be taken before introducing it.
“But Section 26 of that law says, even if the recommendation is not taken before, it can be taken later.
There is no problem in that. But, Home Ministry has passed an order saying, if Delhi Government brings any law, then it has to get approval of the Central government,” he said.
The Solicitor-General, whose opinion was sought by Jung on the constitutionality of the Delhi government’s proposal to enact the bill without seeking Centre’s clearance, had conveyed to him that it will be illegal if enacted without the consent.
