New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday wrote to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena seeking clarification over his official position on the term “LG/Administrator” used in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, news agency ANI reported.
A day after the MCD House was adjourned before the election of the mayor due to ruckus over oath-taking, Kejriwal sought the clarification and said that if administrator is defined as the president or governor, then the elected government (Prime Minister and Chief Ministers) will become irrelevant.
In his letter, CM Kejriwal wrote, “I have come across a statement issued by your office today which says that since it is written in the relevant provisions of DMC Act that “Administrator shall appoint…”, therefore, the ten aldermen and the presiding officer for election of Mayor were directly appointed and got notified by your good self without the involvement of the elected government.”
“Sir, can we assume that this is your official position that wherever in any law or Constitution, it is written that “LG/Administrator shall…” or wherever government has been defined as “LG/Administrator”, in all those cases, LG shall, from now onwards, exercise powers eo-nominee and in his own discretion, directly, ignoring the elected govt?” he further wrote.
“If that be the case, then the elected government of Delhi will become irrelevant because practically in every law and every provision, the word used is “Administrator/LG” and the Council of Ministers works in the name of LG/Administrator. As per various SC judgements, LG/Administrator is bound by aid and advice of Council of Ministers on all but three reserved subjects,” Kejriwal further wrote.
Earlier on Wednesday, LG Saxena nominated 10 people to the corporation’s legislative body, often referred to as Aldermen. AAP termed the nominations illegal and unconstitutional, and said that the Delhi government has been completely bypassed by the LG office.
