Arvind Kejriwal meets L-G Anil Baijal at his residence; to discuss SC verdict on Delhi power tussle

A day after the Supreme Court’s crucial verdict on AAP-Centre power tussle in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his deputy Manish Sisodia on Friday met Lt Governor Anil Baijal at his Delhi residence.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrive to meet LG Anil Baijal," the news agency ANI reported.

According to a government official, the AAP ministers, who accused the L-G of blocking the government’s decision at every step, will discuss the SC verdict that clipped the power of Baijal stating that the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) has "no independent decision-making power" and he cannot be "obstructionist".

The development came after the Delhi chief minister on Thursday dashed a letter to LG Baijal and suggested the meeting in order to resolve their differences on the implications of the Supreme Court verdict.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia arrive to meet LG Anil Baijal pic.twitter.com/6yncm5jSsC

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2018

Kejriwal in his letter to the LG, sought his support adding that the elected government did not need his concurrence after the top court's verdict.

Read | Undeterred by SC verdict, bureaucrats reject Delhi government's order yet again

The meeting, however, is scheduled to take place at 3 pm.

Meanwhile, the relationship between the AAP dispensation and bureaucrats strained further on Thursday after the department rejected Mr Sisodia's transfer order, saying that the Lt Governor still remains in charge of this key department.

They were referring to the 'May 21, 2015' notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which was not abolished by the Supreme Court during its landmark judgement on Wednesday. As per the notification, the services matter is assigned to the lieutenant governor.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government explored legal options, including filing contempt petition, against those who refused to comply with the directive.

Read | Delhi Power Tussle: Supreme Court shows the way

Kejriwal warned officers of "serious consequences" if they did not comply with the AAP government's directive on transfers and postings.

Following the Supreme Court's landmark judgement on Wednesday, the government introduced a new system for transfer and postings of bureaucrats, making the chief minister the approving authority.