Kejriwal vs Jung battle rages on as AAP government completes 100 days in office

New Delhi: As the power struggle between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung rages on, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi is all set to complete 100 days in office on Monday.

Kejriwal met AAP MLAs to discuss the Home Ministry's notification backing the Lieutenant Governor's authority to appoint bureaucrats. The party says it plans to move court over the notification. Kejriwal has also called an emergency session of Delhi Assembly on May 26 and 27.

Sources say the Assembly is likely to pass a resolution terming the notification unconstitutional. The turf war was sparked off by Najeeb Jung appointing senior officer Shakuntala Gamlin as the acting Chief Sectretary against the wishes of AAP government.

Joining a growing league of legal experts, eminent lawyer Indira Jaising supported the AAP government in its ongoing tussle with the Lt Governor, terming the Centre's notification giving absolute powers to Jung in appointment of bureaucrats as "patently unconstitutional".

In a statement, she said the notification "usurps" the legislative power of state as allocation of work to public servants was an administrative and executive function of the Delhi government.

After AAP government sought their opinion, constitutional expert KK Venugopal and former Solicitor General of India Gopal Subramanium had questioned the very foundation of the gazette notification issued by the Home Ministry and wondered whether it had requisite approval of the President.

Jaising said the Central government, or the President, has no power to delegate the exercise of power and discharge of functions in matters relating to "Services" to the L-G.

"BJP is trying to control the Delhi government via the Lieutenant Governor. BJP is upset about the defeat in Delhi," said senior AAP MLA Somnath Bharti.

Another senior party leader said the government had fulfilled most of its promises and was dedicated to public welfare.

"We have delivered our promises. Water problem has been solved. The anti-corruption helpline is in place to check corruption. Party MLAs are reaching out to the people and solving their problems. We will tell the people about the work the government is doing," he said.

It was on February 14, 2015 when Aam Aadmi party leader Arvind Kejriwal was sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister after an overwhelming victory bagging 67 of the 70 seats in the Assembly.