Centre slams Delhi CM over 'character assassination' of officer

New Delhi, May 17: The central government on Sunday condemned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "unfortunate act of character assassination" of senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin, who assumed charge as Delhi's officiating chief secretary.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said: "I seriously condemn the unfortunate act of intimidation and pressure, and act of character assassination adopted by Kejriwal and his government."

"People of northeast are hurt by the unnecessary act of character assassination of Gamlin," Rijiju told reporters here.

Gamlin, who hails from the northeast region, was a good officer, Rijiju added.

Besides, he said there was a special provision in Delhi regarding powers and functions of the lieutenant governor and the chief minister.

Gamlin on Saturday took charge as acting chief secretary despite being asked by the chief minister not to do so.

She was given the additional charge by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung since the incumbent Chief Secretary K.K. Sharma is in the US for personal work.

The Aam Aadmi Party government accused Gamlin, a 1984-batch IAS officer, of "aggressively lobbying" within the government to promote interests of some power companies.

It also accused Jung of bypassing the elected government while making the appointment.

IANS