Stop confrontation, focus on civic issues: BJP tells AAP

Urging Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government to quit its attitude of confrontation, the BJP on Thursday said that the Delhi government should not forget the basic responsibility of fulfilling the promises made to the people.

Union Minister M. Naidu while addressing a press conference here said the AAP Government post today's ruling by the Delhi High Court cannot hold the Centre responsible for its failures.

"Everybody has specific jurisdiction, we must confine to our jurisdiction, respect the Constitution. And if you want any changes, you are always at liberty to champion the cause which you believe, but at the same time you should not forget the basic responsibility of fulfilling the promises made to the people within your jurisdiction," said Naidu.

"I hope that the Delhi Government understands this and gives up its confrontation attitude and quarrelling mentality towards the Centre, and start focusing on civic issues concerning Delhi. It cannot continue to have this tirade against the Government of India making it as an excuse for your failures and try to divert the attention of the people," he added.

Naidu further took a jibe at the AAP government and said in the past 18 months the Delhi government has spent its time quarrelling, accusing and sometime abusing the Centre.

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.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Government has said that it would approach the Supreme Court on this matter.