Amid the ongoing tussle between Lietuenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal and the Delhi government, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a symbolic gesture tore a report of the LG committee on installing CCTV cameras in Delhi.
Addressing an interactive session comprising Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) and market associations of the city on Sunday, Kejriwal, on flashing the report in front of the public said, "It is the will of the people that this report should be torn apart. The public is God in a democracy."
As soon as he made the statement, he ripped the LG's report on CCTV cameras, inviting huge cheers and applause from the public.
Slamming the report, Kejriwal said, "The report of LG's committee whose members are police personnel, says if someone installs CCTV cameras in Delhi, even with their own money, they will have to get the license from the police. License means 'paisa chadhao, license le jaao' (give money and take license)."
Taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the centre, Kejriwal alleged that the ruling party through the LG was not letting the Delhi government work and was constantly hindering in the administrative control over the city-state.
He further stated that with the installation of CCTVs all over Delhi, crimes against women would come down to at least 50 per cent.
Earlier on July 4, the Supreme Court in its judgment said that the Lieutenant Governor must work harmoniously with the state, adding that Delhi cannot be granted statehood, citing an earlier judgment.
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, "LG cannot act independently unless where the Constitution allows. LG cannot be an obstructionist."
"LG cannot act independently unless where the Constitution allows. LG cannot be an obstructionist, he must take advice from the Council of Ministers. The Council has to inform the LG of its decisions. The LG must work harmoniously with the state, the L-G and council of ministers have to be constantly aligned. There is no space for anarchy," CJI Misra said.
Later, Kejriwal questioned LG Anil Baijal as to why he was "selective" in accepting the Supreme Court's judgment on the power tussle between him and the Delhi government.
The power tussle between the Delhi government and the LG has been on since the formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state.
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