New Delhi: “Black day for democracy,” exclaimed Kejriwal in response to the passing of the Delhi Services Bill in Parliament. He compared the bill to an act of enslavement for the people of Delhi, drawing parallels with the British-imposed Government of India Act of 1935. Kejriwal expressed that the new law, despite 75 years of Independence, diminishes the power of Delhi’s elected government and disregards the significance of citizens’ votes.
The bill, passed in the Lok Sabha through a voice vote, grants the Central government authority over the functioning of the Delhi government, including the final say in bureaucratic postings and transfers.
Kejriwal criticized the Prime Minister for ignoring the Supreme Court’s ruling on the democratic nature of India, where voters entrust a government with discretionary powers on their behalf. He accused the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Prime Minister Modi of attempting to govern autonomously, in defiance of the apex court’s orders.
Kejriwal further accused the BJP of attempting to undermine AAP’s governance prowess through these actions, suggesting that the BJP is unable to compete with AAP’s achievements in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He asserted that the BJP’s apprehension about AAP’s electoral success is leading them to employ various tactics to halt AAP’s progress.
The Chief Minister expressed that the people of Delhi support him and his party, and BJP’s attempts to curb his leadership are a result of their fear of defeat in the upcoming elections. Kejriwal concluded that the passage of the Delhi Services Bill is a dark day in the history of Indian democracy, likening it to the pre-Independence Government of India Act, 1935, which restricted the functioning of elected governments.
