A significant political clash has erupted in Delhi over a government notification that has sparked accusations of administrative mismanagement and internal power struggles. The notification in question, related to the posting of officials, has fueled tensions between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with allegations of internal rivalry within the AAP ranks.
The controversy began when Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena approved a notification transferring several bureaucrats, which was allegedly done without consulting the Delhi government. The notification has triggered an outcry from AAP leaders, who have accused the LG of overstepping his constitutional authority and infringing on the rights of the elected Delhi government to manage its affairs. The party has vowed to take strict action against the officials responsible for facilitating the notification, which it believes undermines the administration’s effectiveness and governance.
Kejriwal’s government has criticized the action, viewing it as a direct challenge to its mandate and a move that may lead to destabilizing the city’s governance. The AAP argues that such decisions should be made in consultation with the elected government, and the lack of collaboration with the Delhi Chief Minister’s office is a breach of constitutional norms.
The BJP, however, has seized the opportunity to accuse AAP leaders of being embroiled in a deeper political dispute. The party alleges that the notification saga is a manifestation of the growing rift between Kejriwal and his senior colleague, Atishi. According to the BJP, the controversy is indicative of internal strife within the AAP, with Kejriwal and Atishi reportedly at odds over control of the Delhi administration. BJP leaders claim that Kejriwal’s growing frustration with Atishi’s influence in the party could be the real issue behind the notification controversy.
Sources within the BJP have suggested that the notification row has been exacerbated by differences over key governance issues, with Atishi, a prominent member of AAP, playing a central role in pushing for reforms that Kejriwal may not fully support. Atishi’s supporters, on the other hand, have dismissed such claims, asserting that the notification is merely a distraction from the real issues affecting the people of Delhi.
This latest political flashpoint comes amid a broader struggle for power and influence within Delhi’s political ecosystem. Kejriwal’s AAP, which has grown into a formidable force in the city’s governance since its formation, has often found itself at odds with the central government, particularly over issues of administrative autonomy. The notification row further compounds the party’s strained relationship with the LG and the BJP, who have frequently accused Kejriwal of overstepping his authority in the city’s governance.
For the BJP, the controversy presents a potential political opportunity to capitalize on the infighting within the AAP. The party’s leaders have suggested that Kejriwal’s leadership is under growing pressure, with internal divisions threatening to erode the party’s cohesive image. The BJP’s strategic messaging aims to create a narrative that portrays AAP as a fragmented party unable to effectively govern, even as it claims to champion good governance at the state level.
As the political back-and-forth continues, both AAP and BJP leaders are preparing for an escalation in their battle over the notification issue. AAP’s senior leaders have vowed to take action against the officers who signed off on the controversial posting orders, with Kejriwal promising a full investigation into the matter. This could lead to disciplinary proceedings against bureaucrats perceived to have acted against the Delhi government’s interests.
The political drama surrounding the notification also raises important questions about the balance of power between the Delhi government, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and the central government. While Delhi is technically a Union Territory with its own elected government, the role of the LG has often been contentious, particularly when it comes to key administrative decisions. The disagreement over the notification could fuel ongoing debates about the autonomy of Delhi’s elected government and the limits of the Lieutenant Governor’s powers.