The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi convener Gopal Rai on Tuesday announced that the party leaders including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday against the Central Government’s step of introducing the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Parliament.
Addressing the media, Rai spoke of the unconstitutional way in which the Central Government was attempting to restrict the powers of an elected government in Delhi, leaving it virtually powerless.
"The BJP-ruled Central government is once again trying to rob the elected government of Delhi of its powers. The BJP lost poorly in the Assembly elections in Delhi and in the recently concluded MCD by-elections too, they won zero seats," he said.
Rai said that with introducing the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 in Parliament on Monday, the intention of the BJP is clear. "One would do well to remember how even earlier under the leadership of Kejriwal, attempts were made to restrict the powers of the Delhi Government through orders issued by the MHA.
Rai said, "The Delhi government had thus far worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and had now introduced the Deshbhakti budget, under which several schemes would be introduced.
The minister also mentioned the Delhi government’s plans of commemorating 75 years of Indian Independence and of the installation of 500 flags across Delhi of a deshbhakti curriculum, to instill a patriotic fervour among citizens.
According to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi(Amendment) Bill, 2021, the "government" in the city would mean the "Lieutenant Governor" in context of any law to be made by the legislative assembly.
The bill that was introduced by Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy in Lok Sabha makes it mandatory for the Delhi government to take the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) before any executive action in the national capital.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Manish Sisodia had alleged that the bill would stall Delhi's progress by giving undue powers to the LG.