In a dramatic turn of events, the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha. The bill was passed by a voice vote following a walkout by members of the I.N.D.I.A alliance.
Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal expressed his disappointment, stating, “BJP always promised to give full statehood to Delhi. In 2014, Modi himself said that on becoming the prime minister, he would give full statehood to Delhi. But today these people stabbed the people of Delhi in the back. Don’t believe anything said by Modi ji from now on.”
The controversial Bill grants the Central Government the authority to make rules pertaining to the affairs of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, including the functions, terms, and other conditions of service of officers and employees. It has been a matter of contention since the ordinance on the control of services in Delhi was promulgated in May, shortly after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the issue.
CM Kejriwal has been actively seeking the support of opposition parties, especially in the Rajya Sabha, against the Bill. The I.N.D.I.A bloc, of which Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is a member, staged a walkout during the voting process.
In response to the debate on the Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah vehemently criticized the I.N.D.I.A bloc, accusing them of prioritizing the preservation of their alliance over the interests of the nation. “The opposition’s priority is to save their alliance. The opposition is not worried about Manipur…Everyone is talking about the rights of a state. But which state? Delhi is not a state but a Union Territory…The Parliament has the right to make laws for Delhi,” Shah asserted.
Shah also questioned the opposition’s participation in the debate, pointing out their previous lack of engagement in discussions on various bills. He emphasized that Delhi, as the national capital, has special provisions in the Constitution that necessitate distinct considerations.
In a significant revelation, Shah implied that AAP’s continuation in the I.N.D.I.A bloc would be contingent on their support for the Bill. “Once the Bill is passed in both Houses, AAP will not remain in the alliance and will break its ties with the bloc,” he stated.
The passage of the Delhi Services Bill marks a crucial development in the political landscape, raising concerns over the power dynamics between the Central Government and the state administration in Delhi. As the Bill now moves to the Rajya Sabha for further deliberation, all eyes are on the unfolding events and the potential ramifications on the governance of the national capital.
