New Delhi: Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said Thursday it was unfortunate that there was no clarity in the Supreme Court’s split verdict on who controls services in the National Capital Territory and that Delhiites will continue to ‘suffer’.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the judgment to be against ‘Constitution and democracy’. He said the AAP dispensation will seek legal remedies. Party spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj meanwhile alleged that the Centre appoints such officers who create hurdles in the works of the AAP government.
In a separate development, the BJP accused Kejriwal of ‘declaring war on the Supreme Court’ and said it is considering filing contempt of court proceedings against him.
Addressing a press conference after the SC verdict, Kejriwal said the apex court’s ruling on division of powers is ‘unfortunate’ and ‘injustice to people’ of Delhi. “The judgment is against the constitution and democracy. We will seek legal remedies,” Kejriwal asserted.
Claiming that the Supreme Court order states the elected government has no power to transfer officers, Kejriwal sought to know how the AAP dispensation will work and said the Chief Minister of Delhi does not have power to appoint even a peon.
“We have been suffering for the last four years. We cannot set up mohalla clinics… What sort of democracy is it?,” Kejriwal asked. It (court order) says a party (AAP) with 67 seats cannot transfer officers and a party (BJP) with three seats can do it,” Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, alleged.
“How will the government function if officers do not obey ministers? The solution to the problem lies with the people of Delhi. They should give all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to the AAP. We will force the government at the Centre to give full statehood to Delhi,” Kejriwal asserted.
Meanwhile talking to reporters BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Kejriwal’s remarks were ‘the biggest attack on the apex court in political history’.
The judgement is a ‘big defeat’ for Kejriwal, Patra asserted and demanded an apology from him for criticising the order.
Patra said Kejriwal’s language was ‘appalling’, and also targetted opposition parties, stating while they claim to be working together to ‘save democracy and institutions’, they have maintained silence on the AAP leader’s broadside against the court.
“Where are Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banrjee who speak daily of saving democracy and institutions, as this is the biggest attack on the SC in our political history. Kejriwal has declared war on our highest court,” the BJP leader said, adding his party is considering moving a contempt of court plea against the Delhi CM in court.
PTI