'The Blaze Will Engulf Many Homes': AAP On YSRCP's Support To Centre's Services Bill In Lok Sabha

The YSRCP extended its support to the GNCTD (Amendment) Bill, which will replace the Delhi services bill, on the condition that it is not replicated in other states.

The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday took a jibe at the YSR Congress Party after its Lok Sabha leader PV Midhun Reddy said that the party's support to the Centre's GNCTD (Amendment) Bill was subject to the condition that the Act is not replicated in other states.

"I request the government to take all stakeholders into consideration. I also have a request. This is a unique bill and I hope it is not replicated in other States. With these words, YSRCP supports this bill," Reddy said in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Reacting to his statement, AAP leader Raghav Chadha tweeted in Hindi: "Lagegi aag to aaenge ghar kaee jad mein, yahaan pe sirph hamaara makaan thodee hai. [If a fire breaks out, many houses will be engulfed by the blaze, not just my home.]"

The GNCTD Bill refers to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on Thursday. The bill aims to amend certain provisions of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991. The Bill, if passed by both Houses, will replace the Delhi services ordinance in force at present.

The primary focus of the bill is to clarify the powers and authority of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi and the elected government led by the Chief Minister of Delhi. The bill seeks to emphasize the role of the LG in matters related to the police, public order, and land, while also asserting that the Delhi government must seek the opinion of the LG before taking any executive action based on decisions made by the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

As Lok Sabha commenced the consideration and passage of the Bill on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted that the ordinance is aligned with the directive of the Supreme Court, affirming Parliament's authority to legislate on matters concerning the National Capital Territory of Delhi. He added that constitutional provisions grant the Centre the prerogative to enact laws for Delhi, countering claims made by certain political factions that contested the Center's legislative authority over Delhi.

Directing criticism towards the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shah said, "In 2015, a party assumed power in Delhi with a primary agenda of confrontation rather than governance... The issue isn't solely centred around the right to manage transfers and appointments, but rather concerns obtaining control over the vigilance department in order to obscure their own corruption, such as constructing their personal residences."