The face-off between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung with regard to the routing of government files took a fresh twist on Monday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying that Kejriwal is seeking to take over the powers of the Lieutenant Governor rather focusing on his areas of functioning.
"Arvind Kejriwal is attempting to take over the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. This is not acceptable and is unconstitutional," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told ANI here.
"The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is imbued with a lot of power under the Constitution because Delhi is not a full-fledged state. I hope sense prevails and the Chief Minister of Delhi listens to the Lt. Governor, else he should be prepared to face the consequences," he added.
Earlier, Jung directed all officials and ministers of the the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government to refer all files to him.
Jung, while referring to the Constitution, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, 1991 and the Transaction of Business Rules, said the role of the chief minister and the council of ministers is to aid and advise him.
The Lieutenant Governor's direction came after Kejriwal's instruction to all the departments not to send files to the former's office.
He also asked that directions issued to the officers be withdrawn immediately.