#Delhi Government Equals #LieutenantGovernor, Says His Office

On Jul 22, 2015

NEW DELHI: In a letter that cancels the appointment of a new chief of Delhi’s women’s panel, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has said that the “constitutionally valid and consistent definition of ‘Government’ in the capital is the Lt Governor of Delhi.”

The letter says the appointment of Swati Maliwal as the new chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women or DCW was not approved by Mr Jung and so is invalid.

The letter will escalate the bitter turf war between Mr Jung, who represents the Centre and Arvind Kejriwal’s AamAadmi Party government in Delhi. It refers to precedents in the appointment of DCW chiefs in the past, but makes no mention of the elected Delhi government.

Ms Maliwal, 30, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party leader Navin Jaihind, was appointed by the AAP government four days ago. She took charge on Monday and had said earlier today, “I have no official communication so I can’t talk about it. I am doing my work. The Delhi Government has appointed me and if Delhi Government takes back the appointment, I will abide by it.”

She replaced Barkha Singh, a member of the Congress, whose term ended this month.

Ms Maliwal also serves as an advisor to Chief Minister Kejriwal on public grievances and handled his Janta Samwad or interaction with the people. She has been associated with the AAP chief since his days in the India Against Corruption movement.

AAP emphatically rejected all charges of rival parties, the BJP and the Congress, of nepotism in the appointment, saying its government had picked the person best suited for the job.

Mr Jung’s rejection of Ms Maliwal’s appointment is part of a bitter turf battle with Chief Minister Kejriwal. Other disputes are being fought in court.

Delhi does not have the status of a full state and so important functions are controlled by the Centre, represented by Mr Jung.

Mr Kejriwal accuses the BJP-led central government of trying to scuttle his efforts at governing Delhi after his AAP wiped the rival party out in the February Assembly elections.