IAS officers open to talks, HC raps Kejri on dharna

New Delhi, June 18

As Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s sit-in at the Lieutenant Governor’s office entered its eighth day, the Delhi Government and its IAS officers on Monday showed signs of thaw, with both sides expressing  readiness for talks to end the impasse.

The development came on a day the Delhi High Court virtually disapproved of the sit-in led by Kejriwal and asked the AAP government who had authorised such a protest, even as Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, on a fast at the L-G’s office since June 13, was hospitalised after his health declined. Health Minister Satyendar Jain was hospitalised late Sunday night. 

Later in the day, Sisodia wrote to L-G Anil Baijal, requesting him to call a meeting between AAP ministers and the bureaucrats. 

CM Kejriwal had on Sunday assured the officers he would ensure their safety and security. Welcoming the assurance, the officers said they were open to formal discussions on the matter. 

The officers said they looked forward to “concrete interventions” for their security and dignity, a move that may break the four-month-long impasse between the AAP dispensation and the bureaucrats following an alleged assault on Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash by ruling party MLAs at the CM’s residence in February.

Amid the tug of war, Kejriwal called up Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and apprised him about the situation in the national capital. Media adviser to Thackeray Harshal Pradhan said: “Uddhavji feels that the duly elected government by the people of Delhi should be allowed to function without any hindrance. This, however, does not amount to the Shiv Sena, a key NDA constituent, supporting Kejriwal and AAP.” — TNS/PTI

PM aiding chaos: Rahul 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused PM Narendra Modi of turning a blind eye to the “anarchy” in Delhi and aiding “chaos and disorder” in the capital. ‘Delhi CM sitting in dharna at L-G office. BJP sitting in dharna at CM residence. Delhi bureaucrats addressing press conferences. PM turns a blind eye to the anarchy; rather nudges chaos and disorder. People of Delhi are the victims,” Gandhi  tweeted. PTI.