Aam Admi Party (AAP) member of Rajya Sabha Raghav Chadha on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Delhi Services Bill, labeling it as a "political fraud," a "constitutional sin," and an "administrative logjam." Taking part in the debate on the bill in Rajya Sabha, Chadha strongly criticized the Bill, asserting that it was the most "undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal" legislation ever presented in the House.
Referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling, Chadha emphasized the Court's unanimous reaffirmation on May 11, 2023, that civil servants in the Government of NCT of Delhi are accountable to the elected Council of Ministers, led by the Chief Minister. He stressed that this accountability is fundamental for a democratic and responsible form of governance.
However, Chadha argued that the newly introduced Ordinance undermines this accountability structure by transferring control from the elected Government of Delhi to the unelected LG. He accused the Bill of diluting the power of the Delhi government, rendering it a mere symbolic representation of a people's mandate but lacking the governing mechanism to fulfill that mandate.
In his analysis of the constitutional implications, Chadha outlined five key points that render the Bill unconstitutional. He argued that the Bill represents an abuse of ordinance-making powers, directly challenges the Supreme Court's authority, erodes federalism, and dismantles the triple chain of accountability. Moreover, he contended that the Bill hands over the authority of an elected government to bureaucrats under the LG, symbolizing the dominance of unelected officials over elected representatives.
Taking a dig at the BJP's perceived inconsistency, Chadha accused the party of adopting a "Nehruvian" stance when it suits their agenda. He urged the BJP to adopt a "Vajpayeewadi" or "Advaniwadi" approach for Delhi, referencing the historical struggle for statehood by veteran leaders.
Continuing his speech, Chadha highlighted the significance of the statehood demand in elevating the BJP's political profile and acknowledged the efforts of veteran leaders in this pursuit. He revealed that former Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani, had even introduced a State of Delhi Bill in 2003. Displaying manifestos and copies of the Bill, Chadha underscored BJP's commitment to Delhi's statehood from 1977 to 2015. He criticized the current ruling party for not honoring the legacy of its veterans by disregarding their struggle when the opportunity arose, saying, "Please fulfill the wishes of Advani ji."
In a thought-provoking analogy, Chadha drew parallels between the historic war of Mahabharata and recited famous lines from Ramdhari Dinkar's writings, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for principled action. The session witnessed passionate exchanges as the debate on the Delhi Services Bill continues.Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that technical examination will be done to bring Narmada water to the Gunaur area of Panna district. Efforts will be made to provide Narmada water to the citizens of Panna district.
Science classes will be introduced in Gunaur college and initiatives for the girls' school will also be upgraded. The Chief Minister was addressing the people of Gunaur in Panna district after Jan Darshan. He said that each municipal body in Panna district, namely Gunaur, Aman Ganj, and Devendra Nagar, will receive Rs one crore for development projects. The Chief Minister said that the government will consider suggestions from citizens and recommendations.