Will keep a tab on Gamlin, Modi Govt trying to fail us, says CM Kejriwal

New Delhi, May 17: The tussle between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Najib Jung over appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Delhi Chief Secretary intensified today with the AAP chief saying he will keep a tab on her, alleging the Modi government wants his government to "fail".

Kejriwal while accusing the senior bureaucrat of favouring power companies said his government would ensure that every file to Gamlin's office over the next 10 days goes through him.

The confrontation over the appointment of an acting Chief Secretary yesterday turned into a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and Jung as Kejriwal asked him to work "within the confines" of the Constitution while alleging that he was trying to take over the administration.

The Centre also waded into the row with Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju accusing the AAP government of insulting the people of Delhi and asking whether the city government was trying to bring anarchy in Delhi.

At his 'Auto Samwaad' public meeting in north Delhi's Burari, Kejriwal said that Gamlin was appointed the acting Chief Secretary despite objections raised by his government.

"We opposed the appointment of Chief Secretary (Gamlin), but Modi's government appointed her as CS. We have been struggling for last four days, but Modi's government wanted to make Delhi's government fail," he alleged.

"It raises suspicions that they (BJP-led central government) will do something wrong in 10 days, but I assure you that I will keep a tab on her (Gamlin) and every file will go through me," he said.

Kejriwal claimed that Gamlin wanted to trick the government into signing documents which would give Rs 11,000 crore to power firms which she allegedly favoured.

"When our government was formed, she came to our power minister to sign a letter, saying that Reliance-owned power companies have applied for a loan of Rs 11,000 crore. She wanted the minister to sign the document and said it was just a formality.

"When our minister got this letter checked, it turned out to be a guarantee letter. If Reliance-owned power companies failed to pay the loan, the burden would come on the people and the rates in Delhi would have increased two-three fold," he said.

Rijiju said the officer's appointment was made by the LG as per rules and the Delhi government was making allegations against her without any proof. He accused the AAP government of indulging in character assassination of a lady IAS officer from the Northeast and "disobeying" the Constitution.

Amid the row, former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said an "atmosphere of confrontation" would be created if there is no coordination between the LG and the CM.

Dikshit, who served as Delhi Chief Minister for 15 years, also said that it would be city's loss if the administration is not functioning properly.

PTI