Terming as "unconstitutional" the Centre's notification giving absolute powers to the Delhi Lt Governor on transfer and posting of senior bureaucrats, ruling AAP MLAs today demanded that it be quashed even as BJP legislators said that the Union Home Ministry had just clarified on the existing rules.
Although AAP MLAs used derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LG Najeeb Jung during the discussions on the notification, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel directed that such remarks be expunged from the Assembly proceedings. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia later asked AAP MLAs to not use such words.
"The Centre is trying to weaken the powers of Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch. 152 officers, who were found to have engaged in corruption, have been suspended and 51 officers have been sent to jail.
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"If someone seeks to weaken the ACB's power, it will be like weakening the people's power," AAP MLA Kapil Mishra said, adding that the notification was "illegal" and would not be accepted at any cost.
However, BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma objected to his comments and sought the list of 152 suspended officers.
Another AAP MLA, Alka Lamba, said that the ruling party was feel cheated after getting the notification.
"Through the LG, the Centre is trying to weaken the elected government of Delhi. The rules of a game are set at the beginning, but this notification is an attempt to change rules between the game," she said.
Defending the MHA notification, BJP legislative party leader Vijendra Gupta said that the Centre, through the notification, did not add new rules and but had just clarified on the existing ones.
"There was controversy recently between the LG and Delhi government over the appointment of some officers. To clear all confusion, MHA then issued this notification to clarify on the existing rules.
"No new rule has been mentioned in the notification," Gupta said.
He said that Delhi is a Union Territory and UT cadre officers are appointed by the Centre.
"We also support the demand for full statehood for Delhi, but as Delhi is not a full state yet, the city government does not have 'complete power'," added Gupta.
