Day Of Drama In Delhi As Ordinance Adds Twist

An ordinance that was brought by the Centre to regain control over Delhi's officers has been termed as contempt of court. The BJP, however, welcomed the move.

The move by the Centre came just hours after Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal said that there were rumours that the Union Government will bring in an ordinance to overturn the May 11 verdict of the Supreme Court.

Delhi's education minister, Atish said that the ordinance was a contempt of the Supreme Court.

"The Centre's ordinance is clearly contempt of the Supreme Court Constitution bench which clearly ruled that the elected government should have the power to take decisions (regarding services matters). The ordinance has been brought by the central government out of fear that the power will go into the hands of CM Arvind Kejriwal's government," she said in a statement.

"It is clear that the central government is afraid of Arvind Kejriwal and the judgment of the Supreme Court, that is why they have brought this ordinance which is a contempt of the SC," she also said.

On May 11, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court said that officers working in all departments except those relating to public order, land and police fell within the administrative and legislative control of the Delhi government.

The ordinance passed on Friday, however, negated the ruling.

"The central government has snatched the powers on services matters given to the elected government of Delhi by the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court. The people of Delhi elected Arvind Kejriwal for the third time, but the Centre is saying that the imposed lieutenant governor will have the rights of transfer and posting, and through it he will have authority over every work. This is contempt and insult to the Supreme Court," Delhi services minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

"Clearly, it is the act of a bad, poor and graceless loser. Doubtful if constitutional principles can be diluted by ordinances/acts. Greater doubt whether Parliament as a whole will at all approve it," senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who represented the Delhi government in the Supreme Court said.

On Friday evening, ministers of the Delhi government protested at the LG's office. The protests were led by Arvind Kejriwal.