Power games, the Delhi way

Mukesh Ranjan in New Delhi

THE sight of Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his three ministerial colleagues sitting on a dharna in the waiting room of Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor (LG) Anil Baijal’s office left many in the National Capital baffled. The dharna ended on Tuesday after nine days of much action.

According to leaders of the ruling party in Delhi, the LG was not honouring their demands. These included — issue an order to end the four-month-long “strike” by IAS officers of the city, besides his nod to an AAP government’s proposal on the doorstep delivery of ration. They met the LG in his chambers on June 11. Thereafter, they sat in the waiting room and continued their dharna. This turned out to be a full-blown tussle between the Centre and the Delhi Government, with reactions pouring in from both sides of the spectrum. And, in the subsequent political contest, governance became a casualty. Struggling to cope with power, water crisis and increased air pollution, the local residents were left high and dry.

The agitating ministers handed over a letter of demands to the LG in which they requested him to issue orders that all IAS officers who did not return to work would have proceedings initiated against them and, if necessary, the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) be invoked against them. They also wanted the LG to act against the officers “who have stalled work till now”.

Earlier at a press conference at his residence, Kejriwal had claimed that following the alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, the officials had gone on “strike”, which he termed illegal under the IAS service rules. During the course of his dharna, Kejriwal also lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused Baijal of “sponsoring” the strike at the directions of the PMO. 

A gentle nudge by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the LG to ensure that the dharna ends after the issue was raised by four Chief Ministers — Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), N Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh), H D Kumaraswamy (Karnataka) and Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala) — during a recent NITI Aayog meeting, did the trick. Both the sides — Kejriwal and the agitating IAS officers — had to soften their stand and the LG asked the officers to start attending the routine meetings called by ministers. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court rapped the agitating ministers by asking them as to “who authorised you to hold dharna at LG’s House”.

Describing the entire episode as a tussle between ‘democracy and rule of law’, an official of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, “A democratically elected government does not mean that political executive has the right to undermine the rule of law. Similarly, as per the conduct rules, officers cannot defy the command of their political bosses. However, individual dignity and office decorum need to be maintained.”

As far as central intervention, which the Delhi CM was asking for, is concerned, the MHA official explained by saying that carrying along the officers, in this case, was the sole responsibility of the two constitutional authorities — the LG and the CM. “It is not that the MHA issues directions on every petty issue. The two authorities are competent to take decisions, which are best suited to serve public well-being.”

Events as they unfolded

February 21: Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash manhandled during a midnight meeting at CM’s residence, following which an FIR was lodged with the Delhi Police against AAP MLAs.

February 22: IAS and DANICS officers went on partial strike by deciding not to attend meetings called by ministers.

February 23: VK Jain, CM’s adviser, confirmed he saw Anshu Prakash was being manhandled.

June 11: Kejriwal, along with his three ministerial colleagues, sat on a dharna in the waiting area of LG’s office.

June 12: With the LG not meeting the protesting ministers, PWD Minister Satyendar Jain launched a hunger strike.

June 13: Thereafter, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia launched a hunger strike as well. Party workers and supporters marched from Kejriwal’s residence to the LG’s office.

June 14: Kejriwal wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him 

to urgently intervene in the issue. AAP workers launched a candlemarch in protest against Baijal.

June 15: Family members of Kejriwal, as well as his Cabinet ministers, were denied permission to meet the leaders protesting outside the LG’s office.

June 16: The issue gained national attention as Kejriwal received support from four non-BJP chief ministers. However, they were denied permission to meet him.

June 17: The party called for a gherao of the PM’s office on Sunday over the issue and led a march from Mandi House. Satyendar Jain’s health started deteriorating. The IAS officers’ Association also spoke on the issue saying that they “are not on strike” and that they “do not feel safe attending the meetings”. Hours later, Kejriwal replied that he would ensure their security at the meetings.

June 18: The Delhi High Court rapped Kejriwal saying: “You can’t go inside someone’s house and hold a strike.” Manish Sisodia was shifted to hospital following his failing health.

June 19: Kejriwal leaves LG House after calling off dharna following LG writing a letter suggesting him to hold a meeting with officers.