SC verdict defining LG’s powers victory of federalism: CPI-M

New Delhi: Welcoming the Supreme Court judgment limiting the Lt Governors role in Delhi’s administration, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday said it is a “victory of federalism”.

The Left party underlined that the judgment by a five-member Constitution bench highlighted the role of Lt. Governors and Governors and the issue of “misuse of their offices”.

“The BJP propagates charade of ‘cooperative federalism’ but in reality it is destroying our federal structure. The CPI-M welcomes the judgment. Governors and Lt. Governors can’t usurp the rights of an elected state government or encroach upon their rights. This is a victory of federalism,” the party said.

It said that the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has “upheld the rights of the elected state governments” and reversed the decision of the Delhi High Court which had held that the Lt. Governor is the “administrative head” of Delhi.

“The Supreme Court bench has now correctly held that the Lt. Governor is bound by the advice of the elected Council of Ministers of Delhi government,” it said.

IANS