What SC verdict on AAP vs L-G tussle means for people of Delhi?

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi can’t be “obstructionist” and was bound by the aide and advice of the Council of Ministers.

In its judgment, the apex court cleared the air on who will be the boss of Delhi and said that the elected government had the power to legislate and govern on all the issues except for three issues – land, police and law and order.

While Aam Aadmi Party was terming the apex court’s verdict a “major victory” the BJP said it was a “tight slap” on the face of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as the court asked him to uphold the constitutional morality and function with the spirit of the Constitution.

However, the decision came as a major relief to the people of Delhi and they will now have an actual government they had chosen three years back.

The verdict means a lot for the people of Delhi who were suffering for the last three years due to the interference by the Centre appointed Lieutenant Governor in the crucial matters related to the welfare schemes of Kejriwal government such as mohalla clinics and doorstep ration delivery.

Also Read | Delhi Power Tussle: Supreme Court verdict a big victory for democracy, says Kejriwal

The issues related to land, police and law and order will be under the domain of the Centre and this means they will now be able to question the responsible party for concerns related to these issues.

The will no more feel like a football between the Centre and the Delhi Government as the court has made it clear that the LG can’t be “obstructionist” and doesn’t have the powers to take independent decision.

The apex court also ruled that the L-G will have to mention reasons for holding files related to the public schemes. The court also said that it was not necessary for the Delhi government to have the concurrence of the LG on every matter.

So, overall the apex court has distributed the powers between the elected government and appointed LG and drew a line that no party would cross, which means the people of Delhi would not have to face trouble as there would be no more fights and no more dharnas.