Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has met former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai amid the AAP's ongoing face-off with the Centre over the control of administrative services in the national capital. He will meet Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar on May 25. Kejriwal is on a nation-wide tour to meet Opposition leaders to drum up support against the Centre's ordinance that reverses the effect of Supreme Court verdict that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services in the national capital.
On Tuesday, Kejriwal met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who assured the AAP supremo that the Trinamool Congress would oppose the ordinance brought by the NDA government.
"TMC will oppose the ordinance brought by Centre against Delhi government. This government has become a government 'of the agency, by the agency and for the agency'. We fear the Central govt might change the Constitution, they might change the name of the country...They don't even respect the Supreme Court verdicts," Banerjee said.
Kejriwal thanked the TMC supremo for her support in AAP's fight aganst the ordinance. "I thank Didi (Mamata Banerjee) for assuring that she will support us in the Rajya Sabha. I believe if this Bill is stopped in Rajya Sabha, then this will be a semi-final for 2024 (Lok Sabha elections)," the Delhi CM said.
Last week, Kejriwal met Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and the JD(U) leader extended "complete support" to him in the AAP's ongoing face-off with the Centre over the control of administrative services.
Moreover, AAP has also announced plans for a 'maha rally' on June 11 against the Centre's "black ordinance".
Days after the Supreme Court ruled that Delhi government had executive power over "services", including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Centre last week brought an ordinance making the Lieutenant Governor the final arbiter in the matter.
A 'National Capital Service Authority' has been established through an ordinance to make recommendations to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor regarding matters concerning transfer posting, vigilance and other incidental matters.
The body will comprise of the Delhi Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Home Secretary of Delhi government. "Provided also that in case of difference of opinion, the decision of the Lieutenant Governor shall be final," the order read.