MHA notification: AAP says NDA trying to discredit it

Spokesperson Ashutosh says NDA creating obstacles for the Delhi govt

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi on Friday accused the NDA government of trying to discredit it and said it creating obstacles in the functioning of the city administration.

The remarks by the party came in the aftermath of the union home ministry notification that backed Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Najeeb Jung on postings of officers.

The Delhi government has sought legal opinion on the notification for distribution of powers between the Lieutenant Governor's office and the office of the Delhi chief minister.

"Delhi High Court has clearly mentioned that the Centre's notification is wrong. In fact, even the May 2015 notification is suspect. It has also said that Constitutional amendment is being done under an executive order and suggested that the popular opinion should be supported. After so many serious suggestions by the judiciary, if the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre doesn't pay heed, it shows that they want to discredit the AAP government," said AAP spokersperson Ashutosh.

"The decision of the L-G is wrong and this decision has been passed under orders from the home ministry. We needed to let the assembly know this, because the assembly reflects the people. They understood us and supported us wholly, and now with popular consent, we have taken the matter up with the judiciary," he added.

The MHA had issued an notification saying that the Lieutenant Governor has primacy in postings and transfers of officers belonging to central services.

The notification elicited a strong rebuttal from AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal.

His deputy, Manish Sisodia, also criticised the notification, terming it as an attempt to 'save the transfer-posting industry being run in Delhi'.