Amid AAP vs Center tussle, Nitish Kumar meets Kejriwal with ‘2024 semi-final’ plan

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at his residence here and extended full support to the AAP government in its current tussle with the Center over control of administrative services. Kumar was accompanied by his deputy and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The Center on Friday promulgated an ordinance to set up the National Capital Civil Services Authority for transfer and disciplinary action against IAS and DANICS cadre officers.

This comes a week after the Supreme Court handed over control of services, except police, public order and services related to land, to the elected government in Delhi. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kejriwal said he would personally reach out to heads of all opposition parties to seek their support in the matter so that any bill brought by the Center to replace the ordinance is defeated in the Rajya Sabha. Could

He said, “The day after tomorrow (Tuesday) I have a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at 3 pm in Kolkata. After that I will meet presidents of every party and seek their formal support to defeat the bill when it comes in the Rajya Sabha.” ” Kejriwal said. “I have also requested Nitish Kumar ji to talk to all (opposition) parties in this regard,” he added.

The ordinance must be approved by Parliament within six months. Kejriwal said that if the bill is defeated in the Rajya Sabha, it will send a message that the BJP will lose the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. “This will be the semi-final of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” the AAP national convenor told reporters.
The National Capital Civil Services Authority will consist of the Chief Minister of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi as its Chairman, along with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Home, who will be the Member Secretaries of the Authority.

“Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, the National Capital Civil Services Authority shall have the responsibility to recommend transfer and posting of all Group ‘A’ officers and officials of DANICS working in the affairs of the Government of the National Capital Region Delhi, but not an officer serving in respect of any subject,” reads the ordinance.

Kumar criticized the Center for bringing the ordinance after the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter. “How can you take away the power of an elected government,” said the Janata Dal (United) leader. “Look at the Constitution and see what is right. Whatever he (Kejriwal) is saying is right. We are completely with him,” he said.

Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. @Nitish Kumar G and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. @yadavtejashwi Got the opportunity to host ji at his residence today. Several political issues including the dictatorship of the central government in Delhi were discussed.

I thank Sanatar ji and Prabhav ji for being a reactor with all the people of Delhi… pic.twitter.com/xaIZ5ludwA

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 21, 2023

Kumar said that Kejriwal is doing good work in Delhi and it is surprising that his government is being stopped from working. “That’s why we are saying that all (opposition parties) of the country should come together,” he said. The Chief Minister of Bihar assured that he would try to bring the opposition parties together in support of Kejriwal.

“We will hold more meetings. We are trying to ensure that more and more opposition parties come together and launch a nationwide campaign to demand that the laws be followed and that harmony and brotherhood prevail in the country.” Keep making.” Create conflict between people. Such things should be stopped.” When asked, Kumar said he would also talk to the Congress leadership on the issue of the ordinance.
“I don’t think anyone will oppose it (supporting Kejriwal). We will talk to him,” he said.

Kejriwal was among the few non-BJP chief ministers not invited by the Congress to the swearing-in ceremony of its new government in Karnataka on Saturday, an event seen as a show of strength by opposition parties. Kumar, on the other hand, had attended the event. Extending his party’s support to Kejriwal, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Yadav alleged that the Center was “constantly troubling and troubling” non-BJP governments in various states.

“We have come here to support Kejriwal. The BJP government is doing injustice to him,” he said. Yadav said that the way the Center is troubling the Kejriwal government in Delhi and governments of other parties in various states is not fair at all. He claimed, “There is a clear threat to democracy. They want to change the constitution and we absolutely will not allow that to happen.”

“The more they (Centre) harass and harass Kejriwal, the stronger he will become. I can say with full confidence that the BJP will never come back to power in Delhi,” he said. Sunday’s meeting was the second meeting between Kumar and Kejriwal in 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.

With Kejriwal’s relationship with the Congress not exactly smooth sailing, Kumar has the task of forging a sort of working relationship between the two as he sees the grand old party as crucial to any opposition unity bid. The AAP has grown in Delhi and Punjab by capturing what was once largely seen as Congress territory. A section of Congress leaders believe that regaining the constituency in these states is the key to the party’s resurgence and any compromise on this could disrupt their plans. Kumar has been meeting regional satraps as part of the unity exercise, which is yet to materialize.