AAP to move SC after Delhi HC holds LG Jung as administrative head of NCT

QUICK PILL

In a major setback to the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the Delhi High Court today held that National Capital Territory continues to be a Union Territory and that the Lieutenant Governor is its administrative head.

"We will move the Supreme Court against the HC verdict," Delhi Home Minister Satyendar Jain said today.

The minister alleged that the Kejriwal government has been prevented by the Centre from taking any action against corruption since it was formed.

A Delhi government spokesperson said that initial assessment of Delhi High Court verdict shows it has "undermined powers of council of ministers mentioned in the Constitution".

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha said that the High Court verdict will be challenged in the Supreme Court, adding that "a democratically-elected government cannot be undermined. This isn't a fight for supremacy, but democracy".

The High Court today said that LG is the administrative head of National Capital Territory and the AAP Government's contention that he is bound to act on the advice of Council of Ministers was "without substance".

The decision comes after a months-long turf war between LG Najeeb Jung and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath dismissed AAP government's plea challenging the Centre's 21 May 2015, notification giving absolute powers to LG in appointing bureaucrats in the national capital.

The court also quashed several notifications issued by Kejriwal after returning to power last year, saying they were illegal as they were issued without the concurrence of the LG.

-With inputs from PTI