In Latest Flashpoint, Lieutenant Governor Cancels Another AAP Appointment

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 21, 2015:  Setting up yet another confrontation with Chief Minister Avind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has said that the appointment of a new chairperson for the state’s women’s panel is "null and void".

Mr Kejriwal had appointed Swati Maliwal, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party leader Navin Jaihind, to head the Delhi Commission for Women just four days ago. She took charge on Monday, but was yet to receive word from the Lieutenant Governor’s office approving her appointment.

Ms Maliwal, 30, replaced Barkha Singh, a member of the Congress, whose term ended this month.

Ms Maliwal has served as an advisor to Chief Minister Kejriwal on public grievances and handles his Janta Samwad or interaction with the people. She has been associated with the AAP chief since his days in the India Against Corruption days.

AAP emphatically rejected all charges of rival parties, the BJP and the Congress of nepotism in the appointment, saying its government had picked the person best suited for the job.

Mr Jung’s rejection of Ms Maliwal’s appointment is another episode in a series of confrontations over the appointment of key officials and bureaucrats in Delhi between him and the AAP government.

The High Court is already hearing cases of dispute over the appointment of the chief of Delhi’s Anti-Corruption Branch and the Lieutenant Governor’s powers to make key appointments in the Delhi administration.

Mr Jung represents the Centre in Delhi, which does not have the status of a full state and so important functions like policing are controlled by the Central government.

Mr Kejriwal has accused the BJP-led central government of trying to scuttle his efforts at governing Delhi after his AAP wiped the rival party out in the Assembly elections in February and is said to be planning a referendum on full statehood for the capital.

In an open letter, Mr Kejriwal has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to either spare some time for law and order in the capital, or turn over the control of Delhi Police to him.

 

Courtesy: NDTV