Here’s a brief chronology of the tug-of-war between AAP govt, L-G
Ananya Panda
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 4
The tussle between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party government and Lieutenant Governor’s office first began in 2014, when the former registered cases against Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). Mukesh Ambani, and UPA ministers M Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora (since dead) for allegedly "fixing" gas prices.
May 2, 2014: RIL moves Delhi High Court for quashing of FIR and challenging a 1993 notification of the Centre giving power to Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to probe union government employees.
May 15, 2015: Former L-G Najeeb Jung appoints Shakuntala Gamlin acting chief secretary. Kejriwal opposes move citing Gamlin’s “proximity” to private power companies in the capital. Both sides accuse each other of overstepping authority.
May 20: Jung declares Delhi CM’s order asking chief secretary to consult him before acting on L-G’s directions. Jung cancels all of AAP government’s bureaucratic postings.
May 25: HC says ACB has jurisdiction to arrest policemen who come under the Centre.
June 27: Delhi government moves HC to restrain LG appointee ACB chief MK Meena from entering anti-graft body's office.
Aug 11: AAP sets up Commission of Inquiries to probe CNG fitness scam, functioning of the Delhi and District Cricket Association.
Aug 22: L-G declares AAP’s order void, says Delhi Government “not competent authority” to set up commission.
Dec 16: CBI raids Delhi CM’s Office, conducts searches at CM’s personal secretary Rajendra Kumar residence over corruption allegations.
Dec 31: IAS and DANICS officers take mass leave of absence to protest suspension of two of their colleagues — Subhash Chandra and Yashpal Garg — by home minister Satyendar Jain. The development comes day before AAP government’s flagship odd-even initiative. Kejriwal accuses L-G of orchestrating it “to make sure” the initiative failed.
April 5, 2016: AAP government asks Delhi High Court to refer to larger bench the petitions on the powers of L-G regarding governance of Delhi.
Aug 4: HC gives verdict, says LG is administrative head of NCT and not bound to act on the advice of Council of Ministers.
Sep 9: SC issues notice to Centre on six appeals of Delhi govt challenging HC verdict that held that LG is administrative head of national capital.
Feb 15, 2017: SC refers to constitution bench the pleas on Delhi-Centre row over governance.
Dec 6, 2017: SC reserves verdict on batch of appeals challenging HC verdict.
Feb 19, 2018: Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash claims AAP lawmakers assaulted him at the chief minister’s residence. IAS officers go on strike protesting the incident. Delhi Chief Minister blames L-G, BJP of orchestrating it.
June 11: Kejriwal and three Cabinet colleagues holds sit in protests at L-G Anil Baijal’s office. They demand that bureaucrats “call off their strike”.
June 20: Chief Minister calls off his sit-in protest after L-G sets up meeting between his government and IAS officers.
July 4: SC says LG does not have independent decision making powers and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. With PTI
