Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recently embarked on a nationwide tour to gather support for their fight against the Union government’s ordinance regarding the control of services in Delhi. As part of their efforts, they met Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai.
During their meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, Kejriwal expressed his concerns over the recent ordinance, stating that it indicates the Narendra Modi government’s disregard for the Supreme Court’s authority. The ordinance, issued just a week after the Supreme Court granted control of services in Delhi, excluding police, public order, and land, to the elected government, aims to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers.
Kejriwal further alleged that state governments were being destabilized through the misuse of central investigative agencies such as the CBI and the ED. The AAP leader emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and sought Thackeray’s support in their fight against the ordinance.
Uddhav Thackeray, in a show of solidarity, expressed his agreement with Kejriwal’s stance and highlighted the significance of the Supreme Court’s verdict in preserving democracy. He stated that their collective effort was aimed at defeating those who opposed democracy and safeguarding the country and its constitution.
Prior to their meeting with Uddhav Thackeray, Kejriwal and Mann had met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata as part of their nationwide tour. The purpose of these meetings was to rally support against the Centre’s ordinance and garner backing from regional leaders.
The AAP leaders’ efforts reflect their determination to challenge the Union government’s decision and highlight what they perceive as an infringement on the powers of the elected government in Delhi. By seeking support from prominent regional leaders like Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Mamata Banerjee, Kejriwal aims to unite like-minded political figures against what he deems as a threat to democracy.
The outcome of these meetings and the support garnered from regional leaders will play a crucial role in determining the future course of action for the AAP’s fight against the ordinance. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how these collective efforts will shape the discourse surrounding the control of services in Delhi and impact the power dynamics between the Union government and state governments across the country.
