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Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday responded to national capital Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's letter in which he expressed concern over AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal referring to her as a "temporary CM" and said the governance should remain above "petty politics."
"It is a testimony to the democratic principles of our country that all elected members of the government are in fact temporary and remain in office only till the duration of their term. I am amused by you taking offence at any statement highlighting this reality of an active democracy. It is disheartening to note that your letter focuses on criticism rather than constructive cooperation. I strongly believe that governance should remain above petty politics, and I urge you to work alongside us in this spirit," Delhi CM responded to Delhi LG. She further said that unfortunately, "repeated hurdles" created by unnecessary interventions have slowed down critical work "The current work of the Delhi government is deeply rooted in the vision and legacy of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Be it the educational reforms, healthcare revolution, or infrastructural advancements, his model of governance has become a benchmark not just in Delhi but across India. The progress we are making today is a continuation of this legacy, and we remain committed to fulfilling this vision," she added. She further alleged that the Lieutenant Governor is now working as a proxy of the BJP. "The people of Delhi have repeatedly shown their faith in this government and Arvind Kejriwal. The reality is that Shri Arvind Kejriwal is the tallest leader in Delhi and has been repeatedly elected by the people of Delhi to work in their interest. On the other hand, it is evident that the office of the Lieutenant Governor is now working as a proxy of the BJP and in its enthusiasm to protect the interest of the BJP is causing damage to the lives of ordinary people," she added. "The actions taken at the behest of your office to stop the Mahila Samman Yojana is a testimony to the harmful politicisation of your office. As a woman, I am personally anguished by your recent steps to malign and n and create hurdles for this scheme. It is a scheme that will uplift and empower the women of Delhi. I do not see how anyone can be so caught up in politics that they do not care for the people at all," she said. Atishi urged the LG to let go of such "petty politics" and instead focus on "fostering collaboration and enabling the government to fulfil its promises to the people." "Your actions have irreparably damaged the respect that people held for the office of the Lieutenant Governor and have tarnished the legacy left behind by your predecessors. It is our collective responsibility, to respect the people's mandate and ensure that people's aspirations are prioritised above all else. I look forward to your cooperation in creating a more efficient and harmonious working environment for the betterment of Delhi," she said. Earlier, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor wrote a letter to Chief Minister Atishi and expressed his disapproval of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal referring to her as a "temporary Chief Minister." "I found this very objectionable and I was hurt by it. It was not only an insult to you, but also to your appointee, the President of India and to me as her representative... As a Lieutenant Governor, I am concerned about this level of public discourse and at the same time, I am hurt by the conversation of presenting the full-time Chief Minister of my government as a temporary Chief Minister," the letter read. In the letter he criticised Kejriwal's remark as an affront to "constitutional values and the dignity of the office." "The public definition of temporary or caretaker Chief Minister given by Kejriwal has no constitutional provision and it is also a reprehensible disregard of the democratic spirit and values enshrined in the Constitution drafted by Baba Saheb Ambedkar," it added. He further said that it is well known under what "circumstances" you were made the Chief Minister. "Whether it is the deteriorating condition of Yamuna in the last ten years or the acute shortage of drinking water, the issue of mountains of garbage or the lack of basic facilities in industrial areas, the plight of roads and sewer lines or the crumbling health system, the lack of facilities in unauthorized colonies or the hellish life in slums, everyone knows how possible it is for a Chief Minister, who has been declared temporary and makeshift, to do anything in three-four months. Your leader has also publicly accepted his failures in these areas, but as the Chief Minister, the responsibility for the failures in all these areas will now be yours," the LG further said. The Delhi LG said, " Recently two departments of the Delhi government issued public notices in the press, warning people to be cautious about registrations being done for non-existent schemes by the former Chief Minister. This incident is unprecedented and must have been unsettling for you." "However, I also appreciate the departmental officers who, while discharging their duties, brought to the notice of the public the correct facts regarding the misleading schemes and their registration in the public interest. He further said that he is "concerned" about this level of public discourse and is also "hurt" by the discussion of presenting the "full-time Chief Minister of my government as a temporary Chief Minister." "I wish you a successful and bright future. My letter is written to you personally, but in the times to come, it should be considered a document outlining and recording the current context," LG told Atishi. Atishi became the chief minister in September this year, following Kejriwal's resignation after his release on bail from Tihar Jail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy 'scam.' Delhi's assembly elections are scheduled for early next year. (ANI)
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