Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday met lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung at Raj Niwas where he reportedly tried to resolve differences in day-to-day governance that includes the order of magisterial enquiries in two separate incidents by the Delhi Government, appointment of consultants and experts at various departments. Both Kejriwal and Jung exchanged bouquets and the meeting lasted for about 35-40 minutes. There are differences between Jung and Kejriwal on several issues.
Sources close to Kejriwal said that both the Chief Minister and Jung discussed good governance, transaction of business rules and general business rules of the Delhi Government. They also discussed how to improve the system in the present transaction of business rules as the State Government is finding difficult to deliver some of its promises as it is required to get permission from the Central Government.
“It was a general discussion about administration,” said the sources. Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma was also present during the meeting. Officials of the Delhi Government termed this meeting as “reconciliatory”. This was the first meeting of Kejriwal after assuming charge of Delhi’s Chief Minister last month.
Insiders say that Kejriwal was also not happy with the lieutenant Governor’s role during the President’s Rule. On the other hand, lieutenant Governor was miffed as the Chief Minister’s sole purpose to appoint Manish Sisodia was to make him the front man to deal with him.
According to sources, sharp differences arose between the Delhi Government and Raj Niwas after Kejriwal ordered magisterial enquiries in two incidents that were directly linked with law and order, which does not come under the purview of the Chief Minister. This riled the Raj Niwas as it fell under the domain of the lieutenant Governor. Subsequently, Raj Niwas turned down the magisterial enquiries and advised the Government that they should order administrative enquiries. Following the directions of Raj Niwas, the Delhi Government may soon announce administrative enquiries in these incidents. It is learnt that the UP cadre retired IAS officer may be given the charge of administrative enquiry of these two incidents.
“The lieutenant Governor was also not happy with the way magisterial enquiries in two separate incidents were announced by Sisodia despite knowing the fact that Government means lieutenant Governor not the Chief Minister of Delhi. Besides, several administrative decisions, which were being taken without approval of Raj Niwas,” sources added.