Arvind Kejriwal Asks Top Officer Not to Accept New Post, is Ignored: Sources

New Delhi May 16, 2015 (Agency) :   The turf war in Delhi between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung is now hinged on the promotion of a senior IAS officer who the Delhi government has accused of serving as a lobbyist for power companies.Shakuntala Gamlin was appointed yesterday as Acting Chief Secretary - the senior-most bureaucrat in the Delhi government - by the Lieutenant Governor. She ignored Mr Kejriwal's request to refuse that post, and took office today.Mr Kejriwal's government says the Lieutenant Governor has violated the Constitution with Ms Gamlin's appointment in a case of blatant administrative over-reach. The Lieutenant Governor acts as the representative of the union government in the capital.Today, Mr Kejriwal wrote to the Lieutenant Governor, saying Mr Jung had "opted not to follow the law but tried to take over government" despite there being a clear procedure. "I urge you to remain within confines of the constitution and laws relating to the government," the letter said.The chief minister tweeted that he has sought an



appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee to "apprise him of Delhi's situation."Ms Gamlin has begun work in her new position; sources close to her said that she believes ignoring the Lieutenant Governor's decision would be "dereliction of duty." They also confirmed that Ms Gamlin has complained in writing to Mr Jung about the Delhi government's attempts to discredit her.The Delhi government, in a media statement released yesterday, said Ms Gamlin "was perceived to be extremely close to electricity companies in Delhi and was lobbying for their interests."In response, a statement from Mr Jung's office said, "There was nothing on file submitted to the Lt. Governor that indicated that the government had anything against Ms. Gamlin and the Lt. Governor regrets the name of a senior officer being brought in public domain in such a manner, that too a lady officer and one belonging to the North East."Mr Kejriwal has feuded with Mr Jung repeatedly, accusing the Lieutenant Governor of acting on the orders of the union government and the ruling BJP instead of playing a non-partisan role.