Notwithstanding Constitutional hurdles, Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal promised to bring the Jan lokpal Bill within 15 days and termed the rule as ‘wrong’ which makes it mandatory for a State to seek the Centre’s nod to pass a law.
“We will bring the Jan lokpal Bill within 15 days...The Constitution says that the Delhi Assembly can formulate laws except on some issues mentioned in the State list. The State cannot make any law in violation of the Centre’s law,” Kejriwal said.
“In 2002, the Transaction of Business Rules was amended. It was added that the State Government, while introducing any law, will take permission from the Centre. This (rule) is wrong. It used to happen under the British rule where the Indian Government used to take permission from london,” Kejriwal further said.
“In Delhi, we have an elected Government, so it is absolutely wrong. We will overcome every hurdle. We will not sit quite,” said Kejriwal, adding the crisis is created by the Opposition and that it is not a Constitutional crisis. He also claimed his party will overcome every challenge in implementing the promises made by it to the people of Delhi. “We expect many obstructions to come in the Government’s way but, we will take them head-on. Earlier, they had challenged to fight against us in the elections. Then, they said aam aadmi cannot run the Government. We will run the Government in a better manner,” he said.
While releasing its manifesto last month, the AAP had promised to bring the Jan lokpal or an anti-corruption ombudsman within 15 days by calling an open session of the Delhi Assembly on December 29. “This Delhi Jan lokpal Bill will cover all the officials and employees of the Delhi Government, from the Chief Minister to MlAs. Under this law, it would be mandatory for everyone to declare their assets. The lokpal would have full autonomy. Administrative, financial and functional independence and powers to take action against public servants,” said Yogendra Yadav, head of AAP’s Manifesto Committee.