In a significant show of solidarity, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met with his Delhi counterpart, Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday to discuss the contentious issue of the Centre’s recent ordinance pertaining to the control of services in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Following the meeting, Nitish Kumar expressed his unequivocal support for Kejriwal, asserting that the ordinance was in violation of the Constitution.
The ordinance in question aims to grant control of services back to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and the Delhi Chief Minister, thereby superseding the elected government’s authority. Nitish Kumar strongly denounced this move, stating, “How can powers given to an elected government be taken away? It’s against the Constitution. We stand with Arvind Kejriwal.”
The Bihar Chief Minister emphasized his commitment to uniting opposition parties across the country, highlighting the need for collective action against what he perceives as a threat to democratic principles. Nitish Kumar’s visit to Kejriwal’s residence was seen as an attempt to forge greater opposition unity against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Accompanied by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and other party leaders, Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal held discussions on the matter, aiming to build a consensus among non-BJP parties. The meeting commenced at Kejriwal’s residence on Flag Staff Road and saw the leaders strategize on countering the ordinance’s potential implications.
Kejriwal also voiced his concerns about the ordinance, suggesting that if it were to be enacted as law, it could send a strong message to the BJP. He proposed that if all non-BJP parties come together, the ordinance could be defeated in the Rajya Sabha, thereby signaling the potential ousting of the BJP government in the 2024 elections.
In response to these developments, sources indicate that Kejriwal is likely to seek the support of opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha to oppose the ordinance effectively. The Delhi government has criticized the ordinance, characterizing it as “blissfully ignorant of the law” and a threat to democracy and the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
This meeting between Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal follows a recent interaction between Kejriwal and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray, wherein they discussed prevailing political developments in the country. Kejriwal expressed his intention to engage with opposition leaders individually to rally support against the NCCSA ordinance.
As the opposition gears up to challenge the ordinance, the issue has become a focal point in the ongoing battle between the Supreme Court and the Central Government. With the support of influential leaders like Nitish Kumar and Aditya Thackeray, Kejriwal aims to garner widespread opposition support to thwart the passage of the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha.
The coming days are likely to witness increased political mobilization and concerted efforts by opposition parties to counter the Centre’s move, setting the stage for a potential showdown between the government and the opposition in their struggle to protect the autonomy of the elected government in Delhi.
It remains to be seen how this issue unfolds and whether the opposition’s collective efforts can influence the fate of the contentious ordinance.
