CM-LG row: Sisodia hits out at Centre on statehood issue

New Delhi, May 24

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday hit out at the Centre amid the confrontation between Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, slamming it for its alleged "biggest u-turn" on the issue of full statehood to Delhi.

He also wondered as to why the BJP was "scared" of a "contest" between Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Centre's biggest u-turn in the last one year is on the issue of giving full statehood status to Delhi...why is the BJP scared of a contest between Kejriwal and Modi?" Sisodia was quoted having said by the AAP's official twitter handle.

The appointment of senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary by the LG had triggered a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and the Lt Governor with Kejriwal questioning the LG's authority and accusing him of trying to take over the administration.

Suggesting that plans were afoot to save the "betrayers" of the national capital, Sisodia said the AAP Government was working as well as fighting, and "Delhiites are happy with the work of the government".

"Officers behind the 'transfer-posting' industry in Delhi are playing politics after their retirement. We are working as well as fighting. People have not elected us to play chess or put our arms around these betrayers," Kejriwal's trusted lieutenant said, without elaborating further.

Sisodia also took on the media for "spreading lies" and maligning the image of Kejriwal, however, qualified his remark saying, "We are not against the media but lies."               

"We hope to table the Jan Lokpal Bill in the next Assembly session. We have not stopped probe against any senior person or official. The case against Ambani (Mukesh) is being pursued at a fast pace," he added, on a day the government completes 100 days in office.

The Centre had issued a notification giving absolute powers to the LG in appointment of bureaucrats and clarifying that he need not "consult" the Delhi chief minister on subjects like police and public order. PTI