DCW row: Sisodia accuses Modi govt of scuttling women's panel

Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of diffusing the Delhi Commission of Women amid a new tussle between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung.

Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of scuttling the Delhi Commission of Women amid a new tussle between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung.

Swati Maliwal, visiting the GB Road area of Delhi after the AAP government appointed her as the chairperson of Delhi Commission of Women. Lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has questioned AAP's decision to appoint her as the head of DCW without approval from the LGs office. (Arun Sharma/ HT Photo)

LG Jung had on Wednesday had said that the appointment of 30-year-old Swati Maliwal as the chief of the women's panel was "in breach of rules and procedures" and "had no legal sanctity". Jung had also sought an explanation from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on how Maliwal, wife of AAP leader Naveen Jaihind, was appointed saying his approval had not been sought.

Addressing a press conference over the controversy on Maliwal's appointment Sisodia said, "We have sent the file to the LG. Women's security is important to us so we have decided to take his approval."

Maliwal's appointment is the latest flashpoint between Jung and the Arvind Kejriwal government over appointments and transfers of bureaucrats in the Union territory.

"The Modi government is trying to diffuse the women's commission of Delhi. The Centre is trying to derail Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's movement against corruption," Sisodia told reporters.

Amid a day of drama and allegations, Maliwal had earlier said on Thursday that her staff was barred from entering the office and her nameplate removed.

In a series of tweets, Maliwal said: "I have sought an explanation over the matter from a senior officer that whether there was a call from the LG or the LG's office? On whose directions was my nameplate removed?"

"On whose orders was my office locked and who barred my staff from entering the office? The truth must come out."

Maliwal had alleged on Wednesday that Jung's office asked her not to come to work and that she was told her office will be locked.

"The LG has called me and told me that I should not come to office from tomorrow (Thursday) and all my files are being taken back. The DCW office will be locked," she tweeted on Wednesday.

Later, Maliwal sought to clarify her tweet, saying that Jung's office had communicated to her office not to come to work.

Jung's office, however, denied the charge about the locking of the DCW office. Sources in LG's office strongly rejected her claim that Jung had called her personally, adding none from his staff had even talked to her.

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LG Jung says he is govt in Delhi, scraps AAP appointment

LG Jung seeks AAP explanation on Maliwal's appointment as DCW head

DCW row: Swati Maliwal now says her staff barred from entering office