New Delhi: Firing a salvo against the centre for their ordinance to 'overturn' SC verdict on services matters, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asked all the political parties to ensure that the bill is not passed in the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking to the media in a news briefing the Delhi chief minister said, “This is a disgusting joke. They overturned the Supreme Court judgment within a week. The centre is challenging the Supreme Court openly. This is direct contempt of the Supreme Court and an insult to its majesty".
The Delhi chief minister made it a point to mention that the centre's plan to bring the ordinance was well coordinated and meticulously planned. “Centre brought an ordinance to 'overturn' SC verdict on services matters just hours after apex court shut for vacation”. Appealing to all the political parties, Kejriwal said, “Ordinance on services matter an attack on federal structure, will meet leaders of parties to ensure bill not passed by Rajya Sabha”.
"I will also go to people, door to door, in Delhi and the AAP will also take to the streets against the ordinance because it snatches powers of Delhi people," the AAP convener said. The party will also hold a grand rally against the Centre's move to bring the ordinance, he said.
Threatening to move the Supreme Court, the Delhi chief minister said, “Centre's ordinance on services matters direct contempt of apex court, they want to obstruct AAP govt's work”. “Centre's ordinance on services matters unconstitutional and against democracy, will approach SC against it,” he added.
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The chief minister's criticism comes a day after the centre passed an ordinance to set up a National Capital Service Authority (NCSA) that will include the chief minister as its chairman, the chief secretary and the principal secretary of the home department.
The Central Government in its decisive move overturned the Supreme Court's order concerning the services, including the appointment and transfer of officers, in Delhi. The Central Government utilized an ordinance to alter the Supreme Court's decision, thereby granting the Lieutenant Governor the authority over the right of services. The argument put forth by the Central Government is that Delhi, as the capital of India, directly falls under the jurisdiction of the President. Consequently, the power to reshuffle officers now rests with the President.
The ordinance drew strong opposition from the AAP, which termed it an "act of dishonesty and treachery". The party alleged that the ordinance issued by the Centre disrespected the order of the apex court that had given complete authority to the Delhi government. It was introduced by the Centre out of fear, AAP leaders said.
