Kejriwal writes to Baijal to discuss power distribution between L-G office, elected government

The ‘formal’ communication from the chief minister comes a day after Arvind Kejriwal held a one-on-one discussion with Baijal over a host of issues related to administrative jurisdiction between the L-G secretariat and the elected government.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Thursday, asking him to discuss the division of powers between the elected government and the L-G office in order to avoid ‘unpleasant incidents’ which often lead to political controversies.

Anil Baijal and Arvind Kejriwal. The ‘formal’ communication from the chief minister comes a day after he held a one-on-one discussion with Baijal over a host of issues related to administrative jurisdiction between the L-G secretariat and the elected government. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO)

Sources said the ‘formal’ communication from the chief minister comes a day after he held a one-on-one discussion with Baijal over a host of issues related to administrative jurisdiction between the L-G secretariat and the elected government.

Hindustan Times has learnt that the two are likely to meet over the issue ‘soon’, as requested by the chief minister to which the L-G has agreed.

“During the discussion, the chief minister highlighted that in order to avoid controversies there is a need to revisit and discuss the varied aspects related to the power structure in the Capital. It includes understanding of the Constitution, the Govt of NCT Act, the transaction of business rules and even the last year’s Delhi High Court judgment,” an official said.

Deciding on a bunch of petitions of the Delhi government over the administrative jurisdiction, the Delhi High Court on August 4 last year had ruled that L-G was the city’s real administrator. The Delhi government had challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court and the matter is to be heard by a Constitution bench, which is yet to be formed.

While the Arvind Kejriwal government shared a bitter relationship with the L-G office when Najeeb Jung was at the helm, the state government has had a blow hot, blow cold relationship with the incumbent Baijal. He has cleared few flagship projects of the AAP government earlier this year. However, his office invited AAP’s ire over decisions such as direction to vacate party office.

Kejriwal had resumed the customary weekly meeting with the L-G after Baijal took over. However, he had discontinued the process ahead of the municipal elections. The AAP government, however, has shifted its focus back on governance following the electoral debacle in the municipal elections.

Sources said the chief minister has raised the issue due to repeated incidents of ‘lack of coordination’ as departments heads and secretaries were getting direct orders from the L-G office, and the ministers concerned felt that they were being “bypassed” in the process.

“The elected government is accountable to people. If ministers are by passed, it creates unnecessary controversies,” an official said.