Nitish Kumar Stands With People Of Delhi: Kejriwal After Meeting Bihar CM Amid Row With Centre
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at his residence and said powers with an elected government can not be taken away because it is against the Constitution.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met his Delhi counterpart and Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal at his residence on Sunday. Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav also accompanied Kumar during the meeting where senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh was also present. This is the second meeting between Kumar and Kejriwal over the period of a month. The meeting holds significance as it took place amid the ongoing ordinance war between the Centre and the Delhi government. Also, the meeting came just a day after Kejriwal sought support from the opposition parties yesterday.
While speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Delhi Chief Minister said, “Today, in a meeting with Nitish Kumar, he said that he stands with the people of Delhi, on the issue of the Centre bringing an ordinance negating SC order in favour of Delhi.” Kejriwal had asked for the support of Opposition parties over the Centre’s new ordinance pertaining to control of services in the national capital.
Today, in a meeting with Nitish Ji, he said that he stands with the people of Delhi, on the issue of the Centre bringing an ordinance negating SC order in favour of Delhi. In case the Centre brings this ordinance as a bill, if all non-BJP parties come together it can be defeated… pic.twitter.com/CSom6SNE6m
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2023
He also added that if all non-BJP parties come together, then they can defeat the Centre in the Rajya Sabha in case the Modi government brings this contentious ordinance as a bill.
Speaking further on the matter, he said, “If such a thing happens, it can send a message that the BJP government will be out in 2024.”
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar remarked, “How can powers given to an elected government be taken away? It's against the Constitution.”
How can powers given to an elected government be taken away? It's against the Constitution. We stand with Arvind Kejriwal. We are trying to bring together all opposition parties in the country: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in Delhi pic.twitter.com/A2laYztLoh
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2023
“We stand with Arvind Kejriwal. We are trying to bring together all opposition parties in the country,” he added.
While calling the “ordinance unconstitutional”, Kejriwal said his government will move the Supreme Court against it.
“I want to appeal to the Opposition parties to defeat this Bill in Rajya Sabha when it comes to them for clearing. I will speak to each head of the party myself and will ask them to oppose the Bill. This is undemocratic and should not be passed,” Kejriwal said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Earlier, Nitish Kumar had visited Kejriwal's residence on April 12 also as part of his efforts to bring all opposition parties together ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In the past, Kejriwal has also lauded Kumar's efforts and has extended his "complete support" to the cause of uniting the opposition ahead of the general elections next year, reported news agency PTI.
Delhi Govt vs Centre Over Services Row
On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal targeted the Centre over its ordinance that gave control of services back to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor saying that his government will move the Supreme Court over the issue and that it is a fight between the apex court and the Central government now.
Addressing a press conference, the Delhi CM termed the ordinance "unconstitutional" and "against democracy". He also targeted the Centre over the timing of bringing the ordinance, which he called 'illegal", as summer vacation begins in the Apex Court, and added that his government will challenge it on July 1.
On Friday, the Centre brought an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority that will have the power to recommend the transfer and posting of all Group A officers and officers of DANICS serving in Delhi.
"They were waiting for the Supreme Court to be closed for summer vacations. They waited because they know this ordinance is illegal. They know it will not stand in the court for 5 minutes. When SC opens on July 1, we will challenge it," Kejriwal said.
He also alleged that the ordinance brought to "overturn" the SC verdict is a "direct contempt" of the Apex Court, adding the Centre "wants to obstruct AAP government's work."
Kejriwal said he will meet with leaders of the parties to ensure that the bill is not passed by Rajya Sabha.
The ordinance came after a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on May 11 held that the Delhi government has “legislative and executive power over services” in the national capital.
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