In indication of a possible rapprochement, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today hosted a lunch for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during which a number of contentious issues including functioning of Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) were discussed.
The move is seen as indication of a “truce” in the political circles between the LG and the AAP government which have been involved in a bitter fight over administrative control in the national capital.
Sources said it was a weekly review meeting called by the Lt Governor which is usually attended by Sisodia but today Kejriwal also accompanied him.
“LG hosted a lunch for Kejriwal and his deputy Sisodia where several issues including functioning of ACB, particularly the tussle between two ACB chiefs were discussed. Several administrative issues also figured during the luncheon meeting,” an official said.
Sources described it as a “fruitful meeting” between the Lt Governor and the Delhi Chief Minister adding the issue of two home secretaries was also deliberated upon.
There has been a turf war between the central and the city governments over appointment of Home Secretary and ACB chief.
Currently two home secretaries — one appointed by the LG and another by AAP government are functioning.
Similarly, two chiefs of ACB are working at the premier probe agency.
The hosting of lunch by Jung for Kejriwal and Sisodia came a day after the Chief Minister made a blistering attack on the Centre, saying no government in history with such an overwhelming mandate had been “harassed” the way AAP dispensation is being “targeted”.
“It never happened in the history of the world especially after getting such a huge mandate. What Advaniji is saying is not wrong, it seems. Everywhere people are saying that Narendra Modi is not letting Kejriwal work,” he had said in Delhi Assembly yesterday.
Today, Delhi government curtailed the powers of Lt Governor-backed ACB chief M K Meena, asking him to only look after training work and monitoring of cases undergoing trial till the high court decides on the validity of his appointment.
The government has asked ACB’s Additional Commissioner S S Yadav, backed by Kejriwal, to supervise the investigation as well as overall functioning of the anti-graft body, days after the Delhi High Court refused to restrain Meena from entering office as sought by the Delhi government.
–PTI