In a significant move to garner support for their fight against the Centre’s ordinance on control of services in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by his party’s CM for Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, met their West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Tuesday. The meeting, which also included AAP leaders Raghav Chadha and Atishi Singh, was held off-camera and was expected to last several hours.
The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss the central ordinance that establishes a National Capital Civil Service Authority, effectively overturning a recent Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court ruling had granted control of services, excluding those related to police, public order, and land, to the elected government in Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal, who has been at odds with the Centre over various issues, particularly regarding the governance of Delhi, has been actively seeking support from other regional leaders in his fight against the ordinance. Mamata Banerjee, known for her strong stance against the central government, has been a vocal critic of the Modi administration’s policies. This meeting marked a significant step in the efforts of regional leaders coming together to challenge the central government’s actions.
The presence of Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab and a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), added weight to the meeting. The AAP, which initially gained prominence in Delhi and formed the government there, has been expanding its footprint in other states, including Punjab. By involving Mann, Kejriwal aimed to show solidarity among AAP-led governments and highlight the importance of regional parties in the fight for autonomy.
The central ordinance, which seeks to establish a separate authority for civil services in Delhi, has been met with strong opposition from the Delhi government. Kejriwal has argued that the move undermines the democratic principles and the power of elected governments. The Supreme Court order, which granted control of services to the Delhi government, had been seen as a victory for the Aam Aadmi Party and its supporters.
The meeting between Kejriwal, Mann, and Banerjee is expected to strategize on ways to challenge the central government’s ordinance. It is likely that they will explore legal avenues and discuss potential collaborations with other like-minded regional parties to collectively oppose the central government’s interference in state affairs.
Given the off-camera nature of the meeting and the expected duration of several hours, it is evident that the leaders are invested in having comprehensive discussions on the matter. They are likely to analyze the implications of the central ordinance, assess its potential impact on states’ autonomy, and explore possible courses of action to protect the interests of their respective governments and states.
The coming together of Chief Ministers from different states signifies a growing trend of regional leaders uniting against what they perceive as encroachments on state powers by the central government. This meeting serves as a platform for sharing ideas, experiences, and strategies in the pursuit of greater autonomy for states and safeguarding the principles of federalism.
As the meeting concluded, it is expected that Kejriwal, Mann, and Banerjee, along with other AAP leaders, will emerge with a united front against the Centre’s ordinance. Their joint efforts are likely to include legal challenges, public campaigns, and further collaboration with like-minded leaders and parties to protect the autonomy of state governments.
The nationwide tour initiated by Arvind Kejriwal to garner support for his fight against the Centre’s ordinance on control of services in Delhi has gained momentum with this meeting. The discussions held with Mamata Banerjee, a prominent regional leader, signify a collective
