Delhi LG VK Saxena Objects To Arvind Kejriwal Calling Atishi A ‘Temporary CM’, Terms It As ‘Insult’ To President

Delhi LG VK Saxena condemned Arvind Kejriwal's statement referring to Atishi as a "temporary" Chief Minister, deeming it disrespectful to the constitutional office.

In this March 9, 2024 file photo, Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena greets Atishi as then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal looks on.

Source : PTI

In a strongly worded letter to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena expressed his disapproval of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal referring to Atishi as a "temporary Chief Minister." The letter, dated 30 December 2024, criticised the remark as an affront to constitutional values and the dignity of the office.

In his letter, Saxena wrote, "I found this very objectionable and I was hurt by it. It was not only an insult to you, but also to your appointee, the President of India, and to me as her representative… As a Lieutenant Governor, I am concerned about this level of public discourse and at the same time, I am hurt by the conversation of presenting the full-time Chief Minister of my government as a temporary Chief Minister."

In a letter to Delhi CM Atishi, LG VK Saxena expressed objection to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal calling Atishi a temporary Chief Minister

"...I found this very objectionable and I was hurt by it. It was not only an insult to you, but also to your appointee, the… pic.twitter.com/8Gf5gmlso7

— ANI (@ANI) December 30, 2024

The letter comes as AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal recently spoke about the party's Chief Ministerial candidate. "The election is being fought in Arvind Kejriwal's name and I will become CM. Atishi was made Chief Minister for a temporary period when corruption allegations were made against me. Even though the court gave me bail, I wanted to prove myself in the court of public which is the biggest court. If I win, it means people have declared me to be innocent. So I resigned and Atishi became CM," he told Aaj Tak.

VK Saxena's letter also highlighted his concerns about Kejriwal’s comments undermining Atishi's position and responsibilities. He stated, "This public characterisation by Mr Kejriwal as a temporary or stopgap Chief Minister has no constitutional basis. It is a reprehensible disregard of the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar."

VK Saxena's Swipe At Arvind Kejriwal As He Praises Atishi, Lists Delhi's Challenges

Reflecting on Atishi’s tenure, Saxena praised her for actively engaging in administrative duties. "While your predecessor did not manage any department, nor did he sign any files, you have taken responsibility for numerous departments and made efforts to address various administrative issues," he remarked in a veiled jibe at Arvind Kejriwal.

The letter also mentioned various challenges faced by Delhi, such as poor conditions of the Yamuna, water scarcity, inadequate facilities in industrial areas, and crumbling health infrastructure. Saxena pointed out that addressing these long-standing issues in a few months would be difficult, "It is clear to all how challenging it is for a "temporary" Chief Minister to bring about change in just three to four months. We all know that such vast issues, which your leader has publicly acknowledged as failures, will now be your responsibility to address as the Chief Minister."

Delhi LG VK Saxena On AAP's Mahila Samman Yojna, Alleged Plot For CM Atishi's Arrest

He further criticised the unauthorised announcements by Kejriwal regarding senior citizen and women-related schemes, stating that they undermined the dignity of the Chief Minister's office.

Saxena also lauded the officials of Delhi government departments for issuing public notices cautioning against registrations for 'non-existent' schemes announced during Kejriwal’s tenure, describing it as an "unprecedented" step taken in the public interest. "I must also commend those departmental officers who, in fulfilling their duties, presented the correct facts to the public regarding these misleading schemes and their registrations," he stated.

This comes as the Delhi Lieutenant Governor ordered an inquiry into private individuals allegedly collecting personal details of women under the guise of the Mahila Samman Yojna. The AAP government had announced Rs 1,000 per month as financial aid to every woman in the city aged 18 or older under the Mahila Samman Yojna. The party promised to raise this amount to Rs 2,100 per month if re-elected. 

Addressing Kejriwal’s public allegations of Atishi being investigated by the transport department and other agencies, Saxena said, "These statements are baseless and misleading. It indicates that you are unaware of the activities of departments under your jurisdiction." He referred to a letter from the Additional Chief Secretary of the transport department, which clarified that no such actions were being taken, dismissing Kejriwal’s claims as unfounded.