Oppose Centre's Delhi Ordinance, Or...: Kejriwal To Congress Ahead Of Mega Opposition Meet

The platform for Opposition's unity is now in jeopardy as two national parties — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress — are expected to lock horns over the Centre's Delhi services ordinance.

Even before the Opposition's mega meeting to devise an electoral strategy for the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, problems have started to crop up. The platform for Opposition's unity is now in jeopardy as two national parties — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress — are expected to lock horns over the Centre's Delhi services ordinance, reported ABP News.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal is likely to raise the issue of the Centre's ordinance at the "united Opposition" meeting on Friday. The meeting of "like-minded" opposition parties has been convened by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in an attempt to counter the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Recently, the Supreme Court had said that the Kejriwal government has the right to transfer and decide on postings of administrative officers in Delhi. However, the central government brought an ordinance, essentially giving the Centre power (via the L-G), to decide on transfers and postings of administrative personnel. The BJP argued that Delhi is the capital of the country, so it is necessary in such a situation.

Sources in AAP said that if the Congress does not declare its support to Kejriwal against the ordinance, then it may walk out of the meeting. 

Arvind Kejriwal's Demand

AAP's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been urging the Congress to voice its support for him against the ordinance. Kejriwal is upset because Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has not yet given him an appointment. Congress, on the other hand, is avoiding being seen standing with Kejriwal, especially after the drubbing in Punjab last year.

Kejriwal has asked the opposition parties to clarify their stand by writing letters [to the PM]. Earlier, Kejriwal said that the day is not far when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will run the government through Lieutenant Governors and Governors in 33 states. In such a situation, I request all the parties to discuss the strategy of not allowing the ordinance to be passed in Parliament. 

What Does Congress Say?

Congress sources said that the party will not come under any pressure. "The meeting in Patna is about the strategy for the Lok Sabha elections, in which a fixed agenda will be taken up," a source said.

The Congress has already made it clear that a strategy will be chalked out only when the central government's ordinance issued on the transfers in Delhi administrative officials comes up in Parliament. However, party sources indicated that the Congress will oppose the ordinance in the Parliament. 

BJP's Reaction

BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said that Kejriwal might be asked to leave the meeting because he was putting his agenda first. "Arvind Kejriwal is the first person there (in the opposition meeting) who is asking to keep his agenda (support against Ordinance on control of power in Delhi) above everything. They (other opposition leaders) might ask him to leave," says BJP leader Manoj Tiwari.

Who Is Supporting Arvind Kejriwal?

AAP leader Kejriwal has met several leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, and former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray regarding the ordinance. So far, all these leaders have extended their support to AAP against the ordinance.