Arvind Kejriwal to start indefinite hunger strike for Delhi's statehood
On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a bid to secure complete statehood for Delhi, announced that he would sit on an indefinite hunger strike from March 1. Kerjiwal's announcement, which was made in the Delhi Assembly, comes a day after he made a poll promise to secure statehood for Delhi within two years. Here are the details.
Ready to face death for Delhi's statehood: Kejriwal
"From 1st March I will begin hunger strike. I am going to fast till we get statehood. I am ready to face death," said Kejriwal in the Delhi Assembly.
Kejriwal has long been demanding statehood for Delhi
The Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has long been struggling to secure statehood for Delhi, and Kejriwal has repeatedly alleged that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government does not let his government function properly. This tension between the Center and the AAP government reached a boiling point last year when Kejriwal and his cabinet ministers staged a dharna at Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal's office.
Kejriwal alleges that division of powers affects government's functioning
Kejriwal's contention is that the division of powers between the Center, represented by L-G Baijal, and the Delhi government, prevents his government from functioning effectively. However, Kejriwal's struggle to secure statehood for Delhi suffered a major setback earlier this month after the Supreme Court, on February 14, delivered a verdict outlining the division of powers between the Center and the Delhi government.
What the SC had stated in its recent verdict
The SC bench, comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan and AK Sikri, gave a unanimous verdict on the issues of the control of the anti-corruption branch (ACB) and land. Both judges ruled that the control of the ACB would rest with the Center, while land issues would come under the purview of the Delhi government. However, the L-G could refer land issues to the President.
The SC bench was divided on the issue of 'Services'
Yet, on the issue of 'Services', including transfers and postings of IAS officers in Delhi, the two judges were divided. While Justice Sikri was of the opinion that the L-G should be responsible for transfers and postings of IAS officers holding the rank of Joint Secretary and above, Justice Bhushan held that Services were completely outside the purview of the Delhi government.
A larger SC bench will have the final say
Owing to the split verdict, the issue of division of powers pertaining to Services has been referred to, and will be decided by a larger SC bench. That said, the SC's February 14 verdict left Kejriwal upset, and the Chief Minister lamented, "How will we run the government if this is how things are? I can't even transfer a peon."
