The Lok Sabha has given the green signal to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, granting the Central government control over Delhi's bureaucrats.
In a fiery session of the Lok Sabha, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Lok Sabha passed a bill aimed at replacing an ordinance pertaining to the transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government.
Accusing the BJP of backstabbing the people of the national capital, Kejriwal directed his ire towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the public not to trust any future statements made by the PM. He referred to the BJP's previous promise of granting full statehood to Delhi, only to see the bill being passed without addressing this issue. Kejriwal stated in a tweet in Hindi, "BJP always promised to give full statehood to Delhi. In 2014, Modi himself said that on becoming the prime minister, he would give full statehood to Delhi. But today these people stabbed the people of Delhi in the back. Don't believe anything said by Modiji from now on."
Meanwhile, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns over the bill's constitutionality, stating it contradicts the basic structure of India. He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will review the matter closely when it comes before the court. Owaisi remarked, "They have a brute majority. We had beforehand said that this is an unconstitutional Bill. This Bill is against India's basic structure. Supreme Court had ruled against it earlier. I believe that when this goes to the Supreme Court, the Court will see this...Every party has their own strategy. We sat there and opposed the Bill."
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also voiced strong opposition to the Delhi Services Bill, questioning the authority given to bureaucrats instead of elected representatives of the people. He stated, "I strongly oppose this (Delhi Ordinance) bill. How can you give bureaucrats the authority that belongs to the elected representatives of the people?"
On the other hand, Union minister Anurag Thakur criticized the opposition's approach, claiming they wasted Parliament's time to safeguard their political alliances. Thakur said, "The opposition didn't have a single word to say. They only wasted the Parliament's time to save their alliance."
In support of the bill, Union minister Meenakshi Lekhi asserted that it would alleviate the sufferings of the people of Delhi, offering an alternative perspective. Lekhi said, "This (Delhi Services) bill will end the miseries of the people of Delhi," as the Lok Sabha passed Delhi Services Bill.
BJP MP Kirron Kher raised questions about the governance by AAP, urging them to reflect on their actions that may have led to the need for such legislation. Kher remarked, "Did they (AAP) have any arguments, all the arguments were presented by Home Minister Amit Shah. Sheila Dikshit governed here for long, BJP governed here for long, but they never created such a situation. They should know what did they do so that this had to be done."
The Lok Sabha has approved the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which grants the Central government control over Delhi's bureaucrats. During the session, the opposition's Statutory resolution against the Delhi services ordinance faced defeat. Union Home Minister Amit Shah passionately defended the bill, emphasizing the Parliament's right to legislate on issues concerning Delhi. The bill seeks to replace an ordinance that previously granted the elected government control over services in Delhi, except for policing, land, and public order.