Delhi Chief Secy row: Kejriwal attacks Shakuntala Gamlin, claims she lobbied for power discoms

New Delhi, May 17: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi, on Sunday, claimed it has proof that senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin was involved in lobbying with power discoms. [Centre slams Delhi CM over 'character assassination' of officer]

The reaction came hours after Centre slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "unfortunate act of character assassination" of senior bureaucrat belonging to the north-eastern community.

Addressing a gathering of auto drivers on Sunday, Kejriwal said his government has proof that Gamlin even tried to pass off a guarantee as a comfort letter after his government came to power in Delhi.

"A secretary with the power department came to our Power Minister seeking his sign on some papers. When our Power Minister looked into it, he found out those papers were not comfort letters but guarantees.

When asked what those papers were, the secretary said Delhi power companies are taking a loan of Rs 11000 crore and this is a comfort letter," Kejriwal said.

"When our Power Minister looked into it, he found out those papers were not comfort letter but guarantee," added Kejriwal.

Earlier in the day, 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."

Gamlin took charge of the post hours after Kejriwal sent her a letter asking her not to do so as her appointment was "against" the rules.

Delhi LG Najeeb Jung had on Friday appointed Gamlin as Delhi Chief Secretary, notwithstanding strong opposition to her nomination by Kejriwal dispensation which alleged that she had close links with BSES discoms.

This triggered an ugly spat between Delhi CM and LG. Kejriwal has called Jung a BJP-puppet and his move 'unconstitutional' while Jung has claimed that he has all the right to take the decision.

Meanwhile, BJP has called Kejriwal anarchist and accused him of staging yet another drama to misguide the people of Delhi.

While as per Congress the Delhi CM is acting in a very irresponsible manner and the LG is acting like a hand-maiden of the BJP Government, on the entire episode.

Chief Secretary KK Sharma has left for the US on a personal visit due to which the government had to appoint an acting Chief Secretary.

OneIndia News