New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) Delhi will suffer if the Lt Governor and the Delhi government do not work together or are in conflict, former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Wednesday.
She said that the Supreme Court ruling clipping the Lt Governor's powers was a mere reiteration of the fact that the Delhi government's powers cannot be compared with other states and she advocated more cooperation between the city government and Lt Governor Anil Baijal.
"The Supreme Court has given a clear judgment. As per Article 239 AA of the Constitution, Delhi is not a state. It is a Union Territory. Hence, Delhi government's powers should not be compared with those of other states. Land and law and order directly come under the LG," the Congress leader said.
"But whether a subject comes under the Lt Governor or the city government, Delhi will suffer if they do not work together or are in conflict," she said.
"You have to find a way as even the Congress was in power in Delhi for 15 years and never had a conflict (with Lt Governor). In cases of conflict, we used to resolve it amongst ourselves. Some times the government and some times the LG used to step back," she said.
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said that neither party now has any excuse to obstruct other's work and the Kejriwal government should start focusing on the city's development.
"We are happy for the fact that the whole thing is clear now as to where one stands. We can now expect the Delhi government to start working for the city's development. Now that every thing is sorted out, we hope that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will abandon his ways of protests and picketing and think for its development," the Congress leader told a TV channel.
He said that the government is first of all expected to pass the same Lokpal Bill as was presented in the Delhi Assembly.
"At least, we can hope Kejriwal will do this. After that he can start on Wi-Fi and CCTV projects."
Maken also argued that the government should not continue with its demand for full statehood to Delhi and instead focus on development.
"If the apex court judgment is followed in true letter and spirit, a lot can be achieved. Now, nobody has the excuse (to obstruct work)," Maken said.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the real powers of governance in Delhi rested with elected representatives and that the Lt Governor was bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
