Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal who has been facing waning popularity in Delhi due to his incompetence and a barrage of unfulfilled poll promises resorted to political antics yet again. This time around he staged a ‘protest’ by sitting in at the Lt. Governor’s house. This was a unique protest even as Kejriwal protested along with other senior ministers of the Delhi government in an air conditioned room on comfortable sofas. Kejriwal has been staging these protests on groundless allegations that the IAS officers in Delhi are on an informal strike hindering Delhi government’s functioning.
Even as Arvind Kejriwal resorted to what he does best, staging fake dharnas, four chief ministers who have been leading the grand alliance campaign saw an opportunity to posture against Prime Minister Modi. Chief ministers of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala rallied behind Kejriwal and even held a press conference asking the centre to resolve the “crisis” immediately. However, it is beyond comprehension that when there is no crisis and all the commotion is only on account of fake outrage generated by Kejriwal, then what can PM Modi do about it. These chief ministers who epitomize political opportunism populist politics of the worst kind are claiming that federal structure is in danger and are supporting Kejriwal without understanding the ramifications of what they are doing.
Kejriwal along with like-minded chief ministers who pledged support to him, tried courting yet another controversy by claiming that they wanted to meet Kejriwal but Lt. Governor Anil Baijal has turned down their request. Naidu and Mamata Banerjee cried foul about being denied permission. Banerjee even claimed that there is an ongoing constitutional crisis in Delhi. However, Kejriwal went even further and stated that permission was denied by the Lt. Governor on the PMO’s instance. He alleged that the IAS officers are also staging a strike at the instance of PM Modi only. It seems that Kejriwal’s imaginary skills are touching new highs.
I don’t think Hon’ble LG can take such a decision on his own. Obviously, PMO has directed him to refuse permission. Just like IAS strike is being done at PMO’s instance. https://t.co/hKEe99s8Fp
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 16, 2018
The entire leftist ecosystem has been crying foul over the four chief ministers being denied permission to meet Kejriwal. Delhi deputy chief minister Sisodia went on to claim that PMO stopping the chief ministers of other states to meet the Delhi CM is a state of undeclared emergency. Arvind Kejriwal further opined that Raj Niwas (Lt. Governor’s residence) is no one’s personal property. This is entirely a senseless controversy created by Kejriwal and his cronies.
How can PMO stop Hon Chief Ministers of other states to meet CM Delhi. Is this undeclared emergency in Delhi? https://t.co/grKm1XwToU
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 16, 2018
The claim of PM Modi directing Lt. Governor Baijal to deny permission to other chief ministers is completely a figment of Kerjiwal’s imagination. It is shameful how such a serious accusation was made without any reasonable substance. But then Kejriwal is rather (in)famous for making airy allegations without any substance. And as far as Lt. Governor turning down the request to meet Kejriwal is concerned, it is well within his rights to do so. Raj Niwas is the official residence allotted to the Lt. Governor and he has the final say in deciding who is allowed to enter his residence and who is denied. There is no reason why Lt. Governor Baijal should allow protestors to mobilise within his residence.