AAP takes on BJP, says 'fighting for democracy'

Extremely disappointed with the Delhi High Court's ruling that Lieutenant Governor is the "administrative head" of the National Capital Territory, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday clarified that the ongoing spat is not a battle of ego but is a fight for democracy.

AAP leader Raghav Chadha said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has left no stone unturned in paralysing governance in Delhi and hence has insulted the mandate of people.

"We shall be moving the Supreme Court very soon challenging this verdict. And it is important to realize that this isn't a fight for supremacy, it's a fight for democracy. We are fighting for the rights of a democratically elected government," said Chadha.

"A government was elected by a thumping mandate by the people of Delhi. The BJP has tried to do everything to paralyse governance in Delhi. We will certainly be adopting every recourse in law when it comes to the judgment that has been pronounced by the Delhi High Court today. This isn't an ego battle, it's a fight for democracy." He added.

In a major setback to the AAP Government, the Delhi High Court today dismissed its set of petitions on the legal tussle with the Centre over control of administrative issues and distribution of power in the national capital.

The AAP had filed a total of nine petitions in the Delhi High Court, contending that the power to make appointments and issue instructions did not rest with the Lieutenant Governor, but with the Chief Minister.

The petitions had risen out of a series of clashes between Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and the Delhi Government.

Pronouncing the verdict, the High Court said the Lieutenant Governor is not bound to act as per the advice of the Delhi Cabinet.

The Delhi High Court also said that the Lieutenant Governor is not bound by the Council of Ministers.

The Delhi High Court also held that no action can be taken by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) against Central Government officials.

The AAP Government was told that it was wrong to set up inquiries into alleged scams involving the CNG fitness for buses and Delhi's cricket body DDCA without seeking the Lieutenant Governor's approval.

The AAP Government had last year ordered an inquiry into the "CNG fitness scam" or the alleged corruption in contracts for fitness certificates issued to public buses that use CNG and said the Lieutenant Governor and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit could be questioned.