Kejriwal's visit to L-G's office turns into nightstay, indefinite fast
A visit by AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal to Delhi L-G Anil Baijal's office yesterday turned into a nightstay, as they refused to leave till their demands were met. One demand was action against officers, who they alleged have been striking for months. But the L-G dismissed the claims, blaming the Cabinet instead. Meanwhile, party leader Satyender Jain, accompanying Kejriwal, has started an indefinite fast.
Demands of the AAP leaders
Kejriwal, along with Jain, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Gopal Rai, visited the Raj Bhavan to demand action against 'striking' IAS officers and approval of the doorstep delivery of ration scheme. "(L-G) refused to take action. L-G is under constitutional duty to act. We have politely told him we won't leave till he acts on all points," Kejriwal tweeted at night.
Still at L-G's office the next morning
L-G, officers dismiss claims of strike, say work happening normally
Responding, Baijal's office alleged Kejriwal had "threatened" the L-G. "The atmosphere of mistrust and fear continues and no sincere attempts to resolve differences have been made by the Cabinet," a statement said. IAS officers in the Delhi government too denied they were striking. "Secretaries are regularly submitting weekly reports of important matters...Copies are also marked to the CM and the LG," they said.
"L-G's statement is 'clear evidence' he's masterminding strike," says AAP
Interestingly, reacting to the L-G office's statement, AAP leaders alleged the protest was "masterminded" by Baijal himself. "The press release issued is clear evidence that he's the mastermind behind the officers' strike for last three months, which has never happened in free India," Sisodia said.
Government ties with bureaucrats unusually tense in recent times
Ties between the Delhi government and bureaucrats have been tense since Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash was allegedly assaulted by AAP members in front of Kejriwal in February. AAP termed the allegations "ludicrous," adding Prakash had refused to answer questions, and used "bad language." Yesterday, Kejriwal claimed the PMO was misusing CBI, ED, L-G's office and other agencies to derail the AAP government's work.
