In a significant development, just days after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor (L-G), the Centre has made a late-night move by introducing an ordinance to bring back control of services in Delhi to L-G VK Saxena. The decision has sparked controversy, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) criticizing it as a “backdoor ordinance.”
The ordinance, issued by the Centre in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, aims to restore the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, effectively reversing the key provisions of the 2018 Delhi government amendment that defined the powers and responsibilities of the L-G and the elected government in Delhi.
The Supreme Court’s recent verdict, while acknowledging the elected government’s role in decision-making, upheld the L-G’s status as the administrative head of Delhi. It emphasized the importance of the L-G being kept informed and the need for concurrence on matters related to police, public order, and land.
The Centre’s move to bring in the ordinance late at night has drawn sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party, the ruling party in Delhi. AAP leaders argue that the ordinance is an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court’s judgment and undermines the democratic mandate of the elected government.
Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, expressed his disappointment, saying, “The Centre’s move to introduce this ordinance under the cover of darkness is highly questionable and reeks of a backdoor attempt to usurp power from the elected government. It is an assault on the principles of democracy and the people’s mandate.”
AAP leaders alleged that the Centre’s decision goes against the spirit of cooperative federalism and curtails the autonomy of the elected government. They have vowed to challenge the ordinance in the appropriate legal forums, including approaching the Supreme Court if necessary.
On the other hand, supporters of the ordinance argue that it is a necessary step to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the L-G and the elected government in Delhi. They believe that the ordinance will help streamline governance and ensure better coordination between the Centre and the Delhi government.
The introduction of the ordinance has reignited the long-standing power struggle between the Centre and the Delhi government, which has witnessed several legal battles and political disagreements in the past.
The issue of control over services in Delhi has been a bone of contention between the two entities, and the recent developments have only intensified the debate.
As the political landscape evolves following the Centre’s late-night move, the fate of the ordinance and the ensuing legal battles are likely to shape the future governance dynamics in the national capital.
The controversy surrounding the ordinance and its potential implications on the functioning of the Delhi government will undoubtedly remain in the spotlight in the coming days.
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