Delhi is now facing a constitutional crisis as the people’s representatives themselves have been accused of assaulting a civil servant in the presence of the Chief Minister in his residence at a midnight meeting held today. The AAP has denied these allegations and accused the Chief Secretary of using bad language against elected representatives in its official statement.
The Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that he was deeply pained by the events and remarked that civil servants must be allowed to work in dignity and without fear.
The MHA has sought a report on the incident from the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Justice will be done. A delegation of IAS DANICS & Subordinate Services of Delhi Government met me today and apprised me of the prevailing situation.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 20, 2018
The BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra has also described the events as a constitutional crisis in the state. He also said that AAP and anarchy had become synonymous. The BJP has also been protesting outside the Delhi CM’s residence against the alleged rogue behaviour of its MLAs.
A constitutional crisis looms over Delhi. First time we saw a Chief Secretary being assaulted on the directions of a CM. AAP & anarchy have become synonymous. It has no relations with Constitution: Shri @sambitswarajhttps://t.co/dqwb2pnDdcpic.twitter.com/k0XJvri8ER
— BJP (@BJP4India) February 20, 2018
Chief Secretary’s letter reveals startling accusations against AAP MLAs
The chief secretary’s complaint that described the events that occurred at CM’s residence has brought startling accusations against AAP MLAs.
The letter claims that the CM and AAP asked the Chief Secretary as to why there were delays in releasing advertisements commemorating the completion of three years of AAP. When the civil servant said that the advertisements had to comply with Supreme Court directions, he was ‘accused’ of not doing enough for ‘publicity of the government’. After this, he was threatened with false cases against him under SC/ST act and physically assaulted by MLA Amanatullah Khan and another MLA who he claimed that he could identify. He has also claimed that he was assaulted in the presence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The Chief Secretary also clarified that he did not retaliate to provocations and left the Delhi CM’s residence with great difficulty. He requested the DCP North to take actions against the MLAs for assault and intimidation with a motive to deter him from discharging his duties and forcing him to follow their unlawful directions. The complete letter can be read below :
AAP accuses Chief Secretary of not answering questions on lapses in Aadhar usage in ration shops
The AAP has accused the Chief Secretary of not answering questions on faulty implementation of Aadhar. According to AAP, the Chief Secretary had said that he was not accountable to MLAs but only to the Lt Governor of Delhi.
On being asked about the ration crisis, the CS said that he was not accountable to the MLAs, and only to @LtGovDelhi. If officers are not accountable to elected representatives, is this not a subversion of democracy? (2/n)
— Atishi Marlena (@AtishiMarlena) February 20, 2018
It also declared that Aadhar would not be mandatory for distribution of rations at a press conference held by Manish Sisodia. The decision was taken at a ‘cabinet meeting’ according to reports.
आधार कार्ड आधारित राशन कार्ड पे राशन बाटने का फ़ैसला कुछ समय के लिए रोक लिया गया है। पहले जैसे राशन बँटा जाता था उसी तरह बँटा जाएगा। इसके साथ साथ डोर स्टेप राशन डिलीवरी को अगले 2-3 महीने में लागू किया जाएगा।- @msisodiapic.twitter.com/43H4SJmGzP
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 20, 2018
Officers didn’t followed the process for ration delivery which was approved in cabinet note. We are analyzing the deviations from the method .Till then earlier distribution method of delivery will be continued – @msisodia pic.twitter.com/DNcwzOkiDo
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 20, 2018
Delhi government has decided to stop aadhar being mandatory for the distribution of ration, this was decided at the cabinet which couldn’t take place at the secreteriat today due to protests: Sisodia @IndianExpress
— Aniruddha Ghosal (@aniruddhg1) February 20, 2018
Thus there is a huge difference in the story of AAP and the Chief Secretary regarding the topic discussed at the CM’s residence. Investigations into the matter might reveal the true sequence of events at the Delhi CM’s residence around midnight.
