'There is a constitutional crisis in Delhi', says Mamata as 4 CMs back Kejriwal

In what can be seen as a move to back Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has locked horns with LG Anil Baijal, the Chief Ministers of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal met in the national capital today (June 16).

After the meeting of Pinarayi Vijayan, HD Kumaraswamy, N Chandrababu Naidu and Mamata Banerjee, they made a representation to LG Anil Baijal, seeking appointment to discuss issues concerning Delhi CM Kejriwal.

Here is the letter they presented:

After their meeting, Naidu said they were in Delhi to support Arvind Kejriwal.

"The LG has to allow this govt to function. Mamata Ji had asked permission from the LG to see the CM to which there was no response..We are requesting the Lieutenant Governor & govt of India to talk it out," he said.

Kerala Chief Minister blamed the Centre for standoff between the LG and Delhi Cabinet.

"Because of the attitude of Central govt this happened. Centre is restricting the federal system which is a threat to the nation. Everyone is with him (Delhi CM). All the democratic people are with Delhi CM," Vijayan said.

Banerjee said that there is a constitutional crisis in Delhi because of which people are suffering.

"This is a constitutional crisis. But there should never be such crisis due to which a govt and the common people have to suffer..There are 2 Crore people in Delhi. The work has been disrupted since 4 months, there can be nothing more unfortunate than this. LG is the appointed leader, if not he then to whom will one to go to seek time & talk?" she said.

"I wanted to meet Delhi CM but I was told, verbally and not even written, that permission will not be granted. Then four of us wrote to LG for appointment but we were told that he (LG) is not even there. We waited so long but we were not allowed," she added.

"We came here to show our support to Delhi CM. We demand that the Prime Minister interferes in this issue & takes necessary steps to solve this problem," said Kumaraswamy.

Kejriwal and his Cabinet colleagues are sitting at the office of Lt Governor Anil Baijal demanding his direction to the IAS officers to end their "strike" and approve doorstep ration delivery scheme, since last Monday.

Accusing the Centre of misusing its powers to stop Delhi government from working, the Aam Aadmi party today said it would lead a massive protest march to the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday evening.

The Delhiites will assemble at Mandi House at 4 pm and march to the PMO under the party banner to support Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his ministers' sit-in at the lieutenant governor's office for the last six days in their fight against the "dictatorship" of Modi government, the AAP leaders said.