Afteer terming the contentious Delhi services bill the "most undemocratic" piece of legislation, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) confirmed on Tuesday that the mega Opposition alliance INDIA would oppose it and they also expressed hope that many MPs of the ruling BJP would probably also vote against it to protect the Constitution.
Aam Admi Party's reaction
Terming the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha a "desperate attempt" of the Narendra Modi government, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Raghav Chadha launched a scathing attack on the Centre for wresting power from the Arvind Kejriwal-led party and render the Delhi government “ineffective”.
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"This bill, which seeks to give overriding powers to the bureaucracy and the lieutenant governor, will replace democracy in Delhi with 'babucracy',” Chadha claimed.
The bill which has been brought to replace the ordinance is even worse than the ordinance itself, he said.
"This an attack on our judiciary, which ruled in favour of the elected government (of Delhi). This is an assault on India's federal structure, democracy, and constitution,” Chadha added.
All members of the INDIA bloc will oppose the bill, the AAP MP asserted.
"This is a fight between ‘satya’ (truth) and ‘asatya’ (lie), ‘dharma’ (righteousness) and adharma (sin). While BJP is committing ‘adharma’, dharma and satya are with us. I hope that dharma stands victorious,” Chadha said.
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"It is my core belief that many MPs who sit on the treasury benches will also rise to the occasion and come forward to protect India's Constitution," he added.
When asked about his take on BJD's & YSRCP's decision of back the Centre, Chadha said." They (BJD & YSRCP) must have taken this decision due to some compulsions...Those who will support this bill will be remembered as anti-national...We will fight to save the Constitution of India," he says. Later, he also quoted Indian poet Bashir Badr in a tweet to emphasize on both the party's obligations to support the BJP.
The party's reaction came after the Union government tabled the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in Lok Sabha amid vociferous protests by opposition MPs.
About the controversy
On May 11, a five-judge constitution bench of the apex court had said the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over administration of services except for public order, police and land.
Follwoing this decision, Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, in a bid to create an authority for transfer and posting of Group-A officers in Delhi.
