New Delhi: In a significant setback to Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, the centre on Monday (March 22) handed the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha.
The NCT Bill seeks to offer far-reaching powers to the Lieutenant Governor in the union territory.
The Bill proposes that the ‘government’ referred to in any regulation handed by the legislative meeting would confer with the Lieutenant Governor.
According to the Bill, the Delhi government should receive the opinion of the LG earlier than implementing any coverage determination.
The Aam Aadmi Party has protested in opposition to the Bill since its inception. The Congress celebration has additionally opposed the proposed transfer.
Kejriwal accused the Centre of “curtailing the powers” of the elected Delhi government by the Bill.
“The Centre has brought in a law that says ‘Delhi government means Lieutenant Governor’. If this happens, where will the CM go? Do elections, votes do not mean anything? It is a fraud with the people,” Kejriwal mentioned final week.
Slamming the BJP-led central government, Kejriwal alleged that as they failed in “buying” AAP MLAs, they’ve amended a regulation to “decrease the power of the elected government in Delhi.”
Several opposition leaders have expressed their reservations in opposition to the Bill together with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, NC’s Omar Abdullah and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav.
Banerjee had written a letter to Kejriwal extending assist over the Bill. Terming the Bill a surgical strike on the federal construction of the Indian Republic, she mentioned she stands in full solidarity with Kejriwal in the matter.