SP backs AAP in its battle with Centre

Treading same path as of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in connection with the ongoing battle between the Centre and the Delhi government, the Samajwadi Party on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is making every effort to destabilise and defame Arvind Kejriwal led government in the national capital.

When asked to comment on the Delhi High Court's verdict of declaring the Lieutenant Governor as the "administrative head" of the National Capital Territory (NCT), Azmi said, "Delhi is a Union Territory, in which the Lieutenant Governor's decision will be followed. However, since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power, the BJP-led Central Government is making every effort to destabilise and defame it."

"Even a layman can see that the Centre is after the AAP government. It's not right thing. The AAP government is a democratically elected and should have been give opportunity to work," he added.

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

Pronouncing the verdict, the high court said that the Lieutenant Governor is not bound to act as per the advice of the Delhi cabinet.

The Delhi High Court also said the Lieutenant Governor is not bound by the council of ministers.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Government alleged that they have been unable to function as most of its decisions were either annulled or changed by the Centre at the behest of the Lieutenant Governor on the ground that Delhi is not a complete state.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has said that it will approach the Supreme Court.