Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reached out to the Congress party seeking its support in opposing the Centre’s executive order on the control of Delhi bureaucrats. Kejriwal stated that he had requested a meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to discuss the undemocratic and unconstitutional ordinance passed by the BJP government, as well as the overall assault on the federal structure and the prevailing political situation.
Kejriwal, who leads the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been actively engaging with leaders of various opposition parties in an attempt to gather enough support to counter the Centre’s bill regarding the control of Delhi bureaucrats in the Rajya Sabha. The government plans to introduce a bill during the upcoming monsoon session of parliament to replace the ordinance that was passed last week. The ordinance aimed to override a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted control over the transfer and appointments of bureaucrats in Delhi to the elected government, rather than the Centre.
Under the Centre’s ordinance, a National Capital Civil Services Authority was established to make decisions regarding the postings and transfers of bureaucrats in Delhi. While the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and Principal Home Secretary are included as members of the authority, the final authority rests with the Lieutenant Governor, who reports to the Centre.
In his effort to garner support against the Centre’s actions, Kejriwal has already met with prominent leaders such as Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, and Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. Several parties have expressed their solidarity with the AAP, accusing the ruling BJP of undermining the constitution and endangering democracy.
However, the Congress party has taken a more cautious approach and has announced its intention to consult with its regional leaders before deciding whether to support the AAP. The Congress party and the AAP are political rivals in states like Delhi and Bengal, and they have competed against each other in elections, including the recent Gujarat election.
This outreach by Kejriwal to Congress signifies a significant development in the ongoing efforts to foster unity among opposition parties against the BJP in preparation for the 2024 national elections. The opposition parties aim to present a united front against the ruling party and its policies. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how the Congress party will respond to Kejriwal’s appeal and whether a broader opposition coalition will be formed in the coming months.
