Gamlin appointment: Work 'within Constitution', angry Kejriwal tells LG

New Delhi, May 16: In a scathing diatribe against Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to review his "questionable" decision to appoint Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary of Delhi and work within the "confines" of the Constitution.

"I am simply aghast by your questionable instructions issued directly to the Pr. Secretary (Services) to post an officer of your choice as the acting Chief Secretary of Delhi. In doing so, you have bypassed the democratically elected government," Kejriwal said in a strongly worded letter to Jung hours after Gamlin took charge of the post, defying the Chief Minister.

"I would strongly request and urge you to remain within the confines of the Constitution and the laws relating to government of NCT of Delhi," he said. In the letter, he pointed to several rules of Transaction of Business Rules, saying "I cannot but conclude that This is a thinly disguised attempt to render the democratically elected govt "ineffective".

"You (L-G) are holding a constitutional post. Whatever be the political pressures, you have a duty to uphold the constitution," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

PTI