Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are on a nationwide tour seeking support against the Centre’s ordinance on control of services in Delhi. After meeting West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata, they met Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai. Today, they will meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai as well. The purpose of these meetings is to gather support for their fight against the ordinance.
During a joint press conference with Thackeray, Kejriwal criticized the BJP, stating that they have no belief in democracy or the Supreme Court. The ordinance, which undermines the Supreme Court’s order on control of services, was viewed as a disregard for the judiciary’s authority. Thackeray supported Kejriwal’s stance and emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court’s order for democracy.
According to Kejriwal, the Centre’s ordinance revoked the powers granted to the elected government by the Supreme Court. In a democracy, he argued, power should be vested in the elected government, as it is accountable to the people. The ordinance aims to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers, excluding police, public order, and land.
Before the Supreme Court’s verdict on May 11, the transfer and postings of all officers in the Delhi government were under the control of the lieutenant governor. The AAP government sees the ordinance as a deception and contradiction to the court’s ruling on controlling services in Delhi.
Kejriwal and Mann’s meetings with regional leaders across the country signify their collective effort to safeguard democracy and the Constitution. They believe that if they fail in this endeavor, the future of democracy in India will be at stake.
