Kejriwal vs Jung: AAP to move SC challenging Delhi HC verdict

The AAP government said on Thursday it will challenge the Delhi’s high court order holding that the lieutenant governor is the administrative head of the National Capital Territory as it “undermined” the powers of the council of ministers given by the Constitution.

The AAP government said on Thursday it will move the Supreme Court, challenging Delhi’s high court order that the lieutenant governor is the administrative head of the National Capital Territory.

The decision comes after months-long turf war between LG Najeeb Jung and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (HT File Photo)

“Only the Supreme Court has the power to define and interpret the Constitution and we will approach it against the decision,” home minister Satyendar Jain said.

AAP leader Ashish Khetan said the verdict made a mockery of the Indian democracy.

“The HC verdict has made a mockery of Indian democracy. This is an anti-people judgment. Would Narendra Modi have agreed to Pranab Mukherjee running the Central Govt after winning 282 seats in Lok Sabha?” (sic) Khetan tweeted.

The head of AAP’s Delhi unit, Dilip Pandey said it was necessary to go to the Supreme Court to protect the rights of people of Delhi.

“Delhi government is a symbol of the public’s aspirations. To dismiss it is to dismiss democratic principles. The Assembly cannot be powerless,” he tweeted.

AAP’s national spokesperson Raghav Chadha said the fight was not for supremacy but for democracy.

BJP leaders, however, said that the decision brought an end to unnecessary litigation.

“We welcome the decision of HC & hope it will pave way 4 better governance. Crores of rupees were spent on fighting d avoidable legal battle,” (sic) tweeted Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta.

The decision comes after months-long turf war between LG Najeeb Jung and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed AAP Government’s plea challenging the Centre’s May 21, 2015, notification giving absolute powers to LG in appointing bureaucrats in the national capital.

The court also quashed several notifications issued by Kejriwal after returning to power last year, saying they were illegal as they were issued without concurrence of the LG.