The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to undermine the elected government of Delhi by passing the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, in the Lok Sabha. The bill, which seeks to give more powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, is likely to face a tough test in the Rajya Sabha today, where the BJP does not have a majority.
The AAP has claimed that the bill is unconstitutional and violates the Supreme Court’s verdict on the division of powers between the LG and the Delhi government. The party has also threatened to expose the BJP’s alleged corruption and scams in Delhi if the bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak said, “This bill is being brought to stop Arvind Kejriwal from moving forward in politics. Congress party and other parties are supporting us. They (The central govt) are bringing this bill for their political interest. We will go among the public and expose the BJP…”
The bill was introduced by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on March 15 to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. The bill states that the term “government” in any law made by the legislative assembly shall mean the LG. It also requires the LG’s opinion before taking any executive action based on decisions taken by the cabinet or any minister.
The AAP has argued that the bill will reduce the Delhi government to a mere municipality and make the LG a parallel authority. The party has also alleged that the bill is a part of the BJP’s political vendetta against the AAP, which has won three consecutive assembly elections in Delhi.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the bill as a necessary step to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the LG and the Delhi government. The party has said that the bill will ensure good governance and accountability in Delhi. The party has also accused the AAP of misleading the people and creating unnecessary controversy over the bill.
The bill has been opposed by several opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Shiv Sena, RJD, and NCP. The parties have expressed their solidarity with the AAP and demanded that the bill be sent to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.
The Delhi Services Bill, if passed, will affect the people of Delhi in following ways –
- The Delhites will have less say in the governance of their city, as the LG will have more power over the administration and the bureaucracy. The elected Delhi government will have to seek the LG’s opinion before taking any executive action, which could lead to delays and conflicts.
- The people of Delhi will have less accountability and transparency in the functioning of the civil services, as the LG will have the final authority to appoint, transfer, and post officers without consulting the Delhi government. The LG will also have the power to inquire into the conduct of these officers and take disciplinary action against them.
These are some of the potential impacts of the Delhi Services Bill, however, the bill is still pending in the Rajya Sabha, where it may face opposition from several parties. The final outcome of the bill will depend on how many opposition parties vote against it in the Rajya Sabha today.
The AAP has appealed to all parties to oppose the bill and save democracy in Delhi.
