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'Desh bhar mein nikal raha hoon': Kejriwal's appeal to Opposition parties amid ordinance row
Kejriwal met Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday and said if the law is defeated in the Rajya Sabha, it will be a semifinal before 2024.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday announced that from today he will be travelling across the country to fight for the rights of the people of Delhi, seeking support against the ordinance that the Union government brought to scuttle down the powers of the Delhi government. Making an appeal on Twitter, Kejriwal wrote, "After years, the Supreme Court gave a verdict in favour of the people of Delhi. But it was overturned by the Centre through the ordinance. When this law comes in the Rajya Sabha, it should not be allowed to pass under any circumstances. I will meet the presidents of all political parties and seek their support."
Opinion | Delhi ordinance will face stiff judicial test
“This fight is not only for the people of Delhi. This fight is a fight to save Indian democracy, a fight to save the constitution given by Baba Sahib, a fight to save the judiciary. This fight is a fight to save the country. I expect everyone's support in this,” Kejriwal tweeted.
The first destination for Kejriwal is West Bengal as Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann are scheduled to meet West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata.
The agenda is the ordinance while they may also exchange ideas on Opposition unity. "They are scheduled to have a closed-door meeting at the state secretariat. They may also hold a discussion on probable strategies for next year's general elections," a senior TMC leader said.
On Tuesday evening, Kejriwal and Mann will leave Kolkata and fly to Mumbai where they are scheduled to meet Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar on Wednesday.
Opposition unity on Delhi ordinance: What Congress said
Kejriwal met Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday in New Delhi and said the ordinance can be rejected in the Upper House if all Opposition parties come together. It will be a semifinal before the 2024 Lok Sabha election if the law gets defeated in the Rajya Sabha, Kejriwal said, with Nitish Kumar vowing to support Kejriwal.
The ordinance issue gives ammo to the opposition parties looking for a united platform ahead of the Lok Sabha election, but the Congress has not yet clarified its stance on the Delhi ordinance issue. While Delhi Congress leaders Ajay Maken, and Sandeep Dikshit criticised Kejriwal's 'rudeness', the party's official stand on the issue is not yet out.
"The Congress Party has not taken any decision on the issue of the Ordinance brought against the SC judgment on the powers of the Government of NCT of Delhi with respect to appointment of officers. It will consult its state units & other like-minded parties on the same. The Party believes in the Rule of Law and at the same time does not condone unnecessary confrontation, political witch-hunt and campaigns based on lies against political opponents by any political party," KC Venugopal tweeted.
Delhi ordinance: What is the controversy?
On May 11, the Supreme Court ruled that the elected government in the NCT will have administrative powers except law and order and land. Going by the verdict, the Delhi government got the power to transfer IAS officers working in Delhi. It did so immediately after the verdict by transferring services secretary Ashish More. More complained to the LG and alleged 'personal vengeance of minister Saurabh Bharadwaj behind the transfer. On May 19, the Union government brought an ordinance giving special powers to the LG and creating a separate service for the Delhi officers. AAP said the ordinance is unconstitutional while BJP leaders said the ordinance is necessary to maintain Delhi's dignity.
