DCW row: CM blinks but calls l-G PM's man

The Arvind Kejriwal Government on Thursday sent the file pertaining to appointment of Swati Maliwal as Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief for the approval of lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung. However later, Kejriwal slammed the lieutenant-Governor (l-G) for his assertion that ‘Government’ in Delhi meant the l-G, saying it will result in dictatorship and that his stand was not only unconstitutional but “laughable” in a democratic country.

 In a terse letter to the l-G on the row over Maliwal’s appointment, the Chief Minister (CM) alleged that the issue of appointment of DCW chief has been given a twist at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “On the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the l-G has made the DCW ineffective. Earlier he had done the same with the ACB of Delhi. That’s why the l-G has paralyzed the functioning of DCW. Shutting down the DCW office and calling for files forcefully from the Delhi Government is illegal and unconstitutional and act of blackmail,” Kejriwal said in his letter.  

Kejriwal sent the letter to Jung hours after Delhi Government sent a file to the l-G seeking his approval on Maliwal’s appointment as DCW chief.  “Mr lieutenant- Governor, Prime Minister wins and we are defeated and hence I am requesting you with folded hands to sign on the file of DCW and let it work,” said Kejriwal in his letter. 

Meanwhile, Member Secretary (DCW) Archana Arora on Thursday clarified to Maliwal that no instructions were received from the l-G secretariat to lock her office or remove her nameplate. “It is the usual practice with some officers that offices are locked up in their absence. This morning I came to office to check regarding the issue of your office being locked and found that it was done only as a routine practice. Also, it has been clarified that there were some spelling mistakes on the nameplates, therefore, probably some official removed them,” Arora said in her letter to Maliwal.

Arora also maintained that a call was received from the l-G’s office only to inform that the appointment notification had no legal sanctity. Earlier in the day, Maliwal had claimed that her office had been locked but hours later it was found open though her nameplate was missing. She also claimed that all the files had been taken away from her office.  

Kejriwal said it was not an ego issue and alleged that the l-G was acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The l-G says he is the Government of Delhi. How can it beIJ How can anyone call himself the GovernmentIJ This will result in dictatorship in Delhi. Nothing can be more laughable than this. India is a democracy. Delhi has an elected Government. It’s a fact that the meaning of Delhi Government is an elected Government and not any individual,” Kejriwal said in the letter, adding, “But why is the l-G making such laughable and unconstitutional statements. The truth is the l-G himself is not doing anything. He is being asked to do things.” 

The CM said there was no “ego” issue in sending the file to the l-G for appointment of Maliwal.“DCW’s proper functioning is important for the public. Delhi is witnessing crimes against women across the city. I hope the new DCW will provide justice to all those victims. The only reason that can be seen behind l-G’s actions is that the PM wants Delhi Government to bend through the l-G. For us, the matter of DCW is very important and sensitive,” said Kejriwal.

Jung had declared Maliwal’s appointment ultra vires and infructuous, having no legal sanctity. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia held a Press conference and said that the Government has sent the file relating to Maliwal’s appointment to the l-G for clearance but added it was done to “stop the conspiracy to weaken the panel”.