In the midst of a bitter row with AAP government, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today appeared to have softened his stand, saying he never tried to negate authority of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and will clear the file on appointment of DCW chief Swati Maliwal once it is properly processed.
The Lt Governor, however, criticised Kejriwal for making "inappropriate" references to the Prime Minister in a letter he sent to LG yesterday. Kejriwal had yesterday accused Jung of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the LG rejected Maliwal's appointment saying his approval had not been taken.
Heeding to LG's demand, AAP government had yesterday sent the file to him for clearance. Jung in a letter to the Chief Minister today said he would have no hesitation in confirming Maliwal's appointment based on his recommendation but said the file was not properly processed.
In the two-page letter, Jung sounded a conciliatory note and said his intent was to give the Chief Minister "full cooperation" to ensure the success of the AAP Government and "to enable you to fulfil the promises the Government has made to the people of Delhi. I remain committed to this end.
"It has been my consistent endeavour to agree to all your requests in the spirit of democratic functioning and giving full respect to your wishes as Chief Minister."
On Kejriwal's criticism of him for the comment that 'Government' in Delhi meant the LG, Jung said the Chief Minister misunderstood what he wanted to convey.
Jung said it was never been his intent to "negate the position of the Chief Minister or the authority of the elected government".
Elaborating on it, he said, "My office quoted the legally established definition of 'Government', as stated in the statute book including the clarification issued by the Government of India, in 2002 which reads 'Government' means the Lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi appointed by the President under Article 239 read with Article 239AA of the Constitution'.
"By way of clarification, this implies that the LG is the delegate of the President and the President/the Central Government acts through the Lieutenant Governor in Delhi," he said.
On appointment of Maliwal, Jung said he was sure Kejriwal has done due diligence in selecting her and the other members of the panel and that he would have no hesitation in confirming their appointment.
"However, I find that the file has not been processed properly and it still contains notifications under which Chairperson/Members of Delhi Commission for Women were appointed under your orders after the note of the Minister of Social Welfare & Women and Child Development wherein he mentions that he is the appropriate authority to take the decision as Government," said Jung.
