The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has voiced its disappointment with the Congress for its failure to publicly condemn the recent ordinance issued by the Central government regarding Delhi’s administrative services. According to a report by PTI, the AAP raised concerns about the Congress’ silence, suggesting that it raises doubts about the party’s true stance on the ordinance.
This development occurred on a significant day when leaders from 17 opposition parties, including Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and national convenor of AAP, gathered in Patna and agreed to unite and contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, setting aside their differences.
Prior to the meeting, the AAP had issued a warning, stating that it would walk out if the Congress did not assure its support against the Centre’s ordinance. However, the Congress has yet to publicly declare its position on the ordinance, despite the fact that its Delhi and Punjab units have already expressed support for the Modi government on this matter.
During the meeting in Patna, where like-minded parties came together, several parties urged the Congress to openly denounce the ordinance, but the Congress declined to do so, as stated in the AAP’s statement. The AAP emphasized that the ordinance is not only unconstitutional and undemocratic but also challenges the Supreme Court’s ruling on the issue, thereby posing a direct challenge to the judiciary.
The AAP expressed concern over the Congress’ hesitation and refusal to act as a united front, particularly on such an important issue. It stated that unless the Congress publicly condemns the ordinance and ensures that all 31 of its Rajya Sabha (RS) MPs oppose it, the AAP would find it difficult to participate in future meetings involving like-minded parties where the Congress is involved.
The AAP urged the Congress to clarify whether it stands with the people of Delhi or with the Modi government. The party also revealed that senior Congress leaders hinted in private discussions that their party might informally or formally abstain from voting on the ordinance in the Rajya Sabha.
The AAP cautioned that the Congress’ abstention would greatly benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its efforts to undermine Indian democracy. If left unchallenged, this dangerous trend could potentially spread to other states, resulting in the erosion of power from democratically elected state governments. Therefore, the defeat of this “black ordinance” is of utmost importance, the AAP emphasized.
The Central government issued the ordinance on May 19, establishing a National Capital Civil Service Authority responsible for the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers in Delhi. This move came in response to a Supreme Court verdict on May 11, which granted control of services in the capital, excluding police, public order, and land, to the elected government.
Following the promulgation of the ordinance, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties to seek their support against the ordinance. The AAP alleges that it has received information from reliable sources indicating an agreement between Rahul Gandhi and the BJP, wherein the Congress would align with the BJP on the issue of this contentious ordinance.
Priyanka Kakkar, the AAP’s chief spokesperson, urged the Congress to clarify its position, urging the party to firmly stand with the Constitution rather than aligning with the BJP.
The ordinance introduced by the Centre aims to establish a National Capital Civil Service Authority to handle the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. Prior to the Supreme Court’s verdict, the transfer and postings of all officers in the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor.