KCR Urges PM Modi to Withdraw Ordinance on Delhi Service Matters
Hyderabad, May 27: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the recently issued ordinance aimed at nullifying the Supreme Court’s decision granting control of services in Delhi to the Delhi government. KCR expressed his opposition to the ordinance and stated that the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) would actively resist the Bill, which is expected to replace the ordinance, in Parliament.
During a joint press conference with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, KCR described the ordinance as an insult to the people of Delhi. The ordinance designates the Delhi Lt Governor as the administrator with final authority over the postings and transfers of all bureaucrats serving in the Delhi government.
KCR demanded that the Prime Minister withdraw the ordinance voluntarily, without needlessly escalating the issue. He criticized the Modi government for disregarding the Supreme Court’s ruling, likening the situation to an emergency, even worse than the one experienced in the past. KCR called upon the central government to reconsider its decision and withdraw the ordinance.
Highlighting the recent electoral outcome in Karnataka, KCR asserted that the people had delivered a message to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and warned that citizens in other states would do the same. He emphasized that India reacts swiftly when something goes wrong and questioned the future of the country if the government does not respect Supreme Court judgments.
Accusing the Modi government of creating problems for non-BJP state governments through various means such as withholding central funds and misusing the office of the Governor, KCR criticized their actions. He thanked KCR for his support, Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, recalled the notification issued by the Centre in May 2015, which curtailed the powers of the government in service-related matters shortly after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed its first government in Delhi.
Kejriwal stated that the AAP fought for eight years in court to challenge the notification, and when the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in their favor, the Centre responded with an ordinance to nullify it. Kejriwal expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s failure to comply with Supreme Court orders, leaving citizens with nowhere to seek justice.
According to Kejriwal, the Prime Minister’s actions send a message that regardless of which government people elect, he will obstruct its functioning. Kejriwal viewed this situation as a threat to democracy not only in Delhi but across the entire country. He stressed that their fight was not limited to Delhi alone but was aimed at safeguarding democracy nationwide.
Kejriwal also mentioned their efforts to garner support from various political parties nationwide. He expressed the desire to defeat the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, where opposition parties hold a numerical advantage with 238 members compared to BJP’s 93. Kejriwal saw this as a significant battle leading up to the 2024 elections, referring to it as a “semifinal” in which opposition parties could unite to defeat the Bill.
Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab, added his voice to the criticism, stating that his state’s AAP government had also approached the Supreme Court when the governor refused to convene the budget session.
