“Attempt To Reign Delhi From The Back Door”: Kejriwal

New Delhi [India]: As the Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the bill to replace ordinance for control of services in the national  capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack at the BJP, saying that the legislation is an attempt “to reign Delhi from the back door.”

The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was passed by the Lok Sabha last week, replaces an ordinance promulgated by the Centre for handling the transfers and postings of officials in the Delhi government.

“These people (BJP) have seen that it is very difficult to defeat AAP in Delhi. In last four elections– 2013, 2015, 2020 and recent MCD polls– BJP lost to AAP. It has been more than 25 years in Delhi, the BJP government has not been formed. The people of Delhi have given them exile for 25 years, so these people felt that it is difficult to defeat AAP, so these people have tried to reign Delhi from the back door,” Kejriwal said in video  message, soon after the contentious bill was passed in Rajya Sabha.

The Upper House on Monday passed the Bill that empowers Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to control Group A services in Delhi including on matters relating to appointments, transfers and postings. The bill was passed after a division in which 131 MPs voted in favour of the legislation and 102 against it.

Kejriwal said, “Amit Shah Ji in Parliament said that we have the power to pass laws. You have been given the power to work for the people, not take away their rights.”

“Whatever I do, public of Delhi supports me for that and they have shown their support by making me win in the elections. BJP is just trying to stop our good work. They are hindering the development work. They are trying to stop me from working. This time public will not let them win any seat,” he added.

Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, saying the proposed legislation is aimed at providing effective and corruption-free governance in the national capital.

During the debate on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in his maiden debate said that the legislature is “perfectly, legitimately valid” and that if any member disagrees, his conscience must be left free.