Centre says AAP government’s civil suit political, asks SC to dismiss it

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the Delhi government’s civil suit, seeking various reliefs, including a declaration that Delhi is a

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the Delhi government’s civil suit, seeking various reliefs, including a declaration that Delhi is a state and not a union territory, terming it as a case of “political wrangles.”

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It reiterated that the Centre, through the lieutenant governor, retains overall control of the Delhi. “It is submitted that in the present suit, the only disputes raised are of political, as opposed to a legal nature,” read the Union ministry of home affair’s application in the court.

The MHA has filed it along with its written submissions opposing the suit, which the ministry said is not maintainable because Delhi is not a state. Therefore, the dispute between the elected government and Centre is not federal in nature.

The Centre blamed the present dispensation for not adhering to the rules, leading to a power tussle over who controls Delhi administratively. It said the capital has experienced a smooth and stable governance since 1993, when the first elections were held in Delhi after a constitutional amendment conferred the NCT powers similar to that of a state.

“Present scenario is a creation of the present elected government. The present exigencies have arisen due to wilful disinclination on part of the elected dispensation to adhere to the laws and rules,” the MHA submitted.

Interpreting the contentious constitution amendment, the Centre asserted that in case of a difference of opinion between the L-G and Delhi’s council of ministers, it is the L-G’s opinion that operates until the President takes the final decision. And the President’s final decision is that of the Centre.