A day after the Supreme Court ruling on the ongoing tussle between the Centre and the elected Government of Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's "support and guidance" in implementing the apex court's order.
"All stakeholders need to work towards implementing the honourable Supreme Court order in its letter and spirit. I am writing this letter to seek your support and guidance in implementing it and working for the development of Delhi," Kejriwal wrote in his letter to the L-G.
Referring to the Supreme Court verdict, he added that L-G's "concurrence" would now not be required.
In the letter, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also stated that the Delhi government's latest order has been rejected by bureaucrats as "legally incorrect".
"Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has received a note from the Chief Secretary that since the Ministry of Home Affair's notification has not been specifically quashed, they will continue to follow the same despite Supreme Court orders. I believe that would be wrong course of action," Kejriwal said.
"If the files related to 'Services' are placed before the honourable L-G and the L-G acts on them, it would clearly amount to contempt of the honourable Supreme Court in the light of aforesaid judgment. I am sure L-G will never like to knowingly commit contempt of Supreme Court," he added.
Kejriwal concluded his letter seeking L-G's "support for development of Delhi, for implementing public welfare schemes and for the implementation of the order of Supreme Court".
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"We plan to issue orders tomorrow to all functionaries of Delhi Government on the above lines. We hope we have your kind support for the same. In case you have contrary views on any of the above issues, kindly do let me know. If you desire, myself and my Cabinet colleagues can come over for a discussion," Kejriwal said.
The Supreme Court yesterday pronounced its verdict on the ongoing tussle between the Centre and the elected Government of Delhi and said that the L-G's role cannot be obstructionist.
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, who headed the five-judge bench comprising A.K. Sikri, A.M. Khanwilkar, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said: "L-G cannot act independently unless where the Constitution allows. L-G cannot be an obstructionist."
CJI Misra said that the L-G must work harmoniously with the state and the council of ministers have to be constantly aligned.
"L-G cannot act independently unless where the Constitution allows. L-G cannot be an obstructionist, he must take advice from the Council of Ministers. The Council has to inform the L-G of its decisions. The L-G must work harmoniously with the state, the L-G and council of ministers have to be constantly aligned. There is no space for anarchy," the CJI said.
The power tussle between the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor has been on since the formation of the AAP government in the state.