Nitish Kumar was accompanied by his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav
Posted on – Sun 21 May 23 at 2:47pm
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal meets Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in New Delhi, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (PTI Photo)
New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met his Delhi Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the latter’s residence on Sunday and offered him “full attention” amid the AAP government’s ongoing struggle with the Center over control of administrative services. support”.
Kumar was accompanied by his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
The Center issued the decree on Friday to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority to be responsible for the transfer and discipline of IAS and DANICS cadre officers.
This comes a week after the Supreme Court handed over control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to Delhi’s elected government.
Kejriwal told reporters after the meeting that he would personally contact all opposition leaders to seek their support in the matter so that any bill proposed by the Center to replace the Act would be defeated in Rajasabha.
“The day after tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3pm, I will meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. After that, I will meet the presidents of each political party to seek their formal Defeat the bill in the Rajya Sabha,” Kejriwal said.
“I also ask Nitish Kumar ji to engage in dialogue with all (opposition) parties in this regard,” he added.
A decree must be approved by parliament within six months.
Kejriwal said if the bill is defeated in Rajya Sabha, it will send a message that the BJP will lose in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“This will be the semi-final of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” the AAP national convener told reporters.
The National Capital Civil Service Authority will be chaired by the Chief Minister of the National Capital Region Government of Delhi, and Chief Secretary and Chief Secretary Homem will be the member secretaries of the body.
“Notwithstanding anything in any existing law, it shall be the duty of the National Capital Civil Service Authority to advise on the transfer and appointment of all Group ‘A’ officers and DANICS officers serving in the affairs of the Government. National Capital Territory of Delhi, but excluding those related to any subject concerned officials,” the decree reads.
Kumar criticized the Center for issuing the decree after the Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter.
“How can you take away power from an elected government,” asked the Janata Dal (coalition) leader.
“Look at the constitution and see what is right. Whatever he (Kejriwal) says is right. We fully support him,” he said.
Kumar said Kejriwal was doing a good job in Delhi and it was surprising that his government was prevented from doing its job.
“That’s why we say all (opposition parties) in the country should come together,” he said.
The Bihar chief minister has assured that he will try to unite the opposition parties in support of Kejriwal.
“We will hold further meetings. We are trying to ensure that the maximum number of opposition parties come together and launch a national campaign to demand compliance with the law and mutual harmony and brotherhood in the country.
“Efforts are being made to create conflict between people. Things like this should be stopped,” he said.
When asked, Kumar said he would also speak to Congress leadership on the act.
“I don’t think anyone will oppose it (support Kejriwal). We will talk to them,” he said.
Kejriwal was one of the few non-BJP chief ministers not invited by Congress to attend the swearing-in of a new government in Karnataka state on Saturday, an event seen by the opposition as a show of strength.
Kumar, on the other hand, attended the event.
Bihar deputy chief minister Yadav extended his party’s support to Kejriwal, saying the center was “constantly harassing and harassing” non-BJP governments in different states.
“We are here to give support to Kejriwal. The BJP government has not been fair to him,” he said.
Yadav said the way the Center harassed the Kejriwal concessions of Delhi and other party governments in different states made no sense at all.
“Democracy is clearly under threat. They want to change the constitution and we simply won’t let that happen,” he claimed.
“The more they (centrists) harass and harass Kejriwal, the stronger he will become. I can say with confidence that the BJP will never regain power in Delhi,” he added.
Sunday’s meeting was the second that Kumar and Kejriwal have met in more than a month. Kumar had earlier met Kejriwal here on April 12 as part of his efforts to bring all opposition parties together ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
As Kejriwal’s relationship with Congress is far from smooth, Kumar has been tasked with building some kind of working relationship between the two, as he also sees the grand old party as crucial to any opposition unity bid.
The AAP has grown in Delhi and Punjab, occupying spaces that were once largely considered congressional territory. Some congressional leaders believe that retaking constituencies is the key to the party’s revival in these states, and any compromise will hinder their plans.
Kumar has been meeting with regional governors as part of a solidarity movement that has yet to take form.
