Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann Meet MK Stalin in Chennai, Seek Support Against Centre’s Delhi Ordinance
In a bid to garner support from various regional parties against the Centre’s ordinance on control of services in Delhi, Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president MK Stalin in Chennai on Friday. The two AAP leaders discussed the implications of the ordinance on federalism and democracy with Stalin and sought his backing for their cause.
Background
The Centre had promulgated an ordinance in April this year that gave primacy to the lieutenant governor (LG) over the elected government in matters of public order, police and services in Delhi. The ordinance was seen as a move to curtail the powers of the AAP government, which had been at loggerheads with the LG over various issues since 2015. The ordinance also overturned a Supreme Court verdict of 2018 that had upheld the authority of the Delhi government over services.
Opposition
The AAP has been opposing the ordinance tooth and nail, calling it unconstitutional and undemocratic. The party has also been reaching out to other non-BJP parties to build a united front against the Centre’s move. Kejriwal had earlier met NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai and secured his support for defeating the bill to replace the ordinance in Rajya Sabha, where the BJP does not have a majority. He had also spoken to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren over phone and sought their solidarity.
Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal & Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meet Tamil Nadu CM and DMK president MK Stalin in Chennai. The two AAP leaders are meeting CM Stalin to seek support on the Centre's ordinance issue. pic.twitter.com/FIrGXKor2K
— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2023
Meeting
On Friday, Kejriwal and Mann met Stalin at his residence in Chennai and apprised him of the situation in Delhi. They also praised Stalin for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and his welfare schemes for the people of Tamil Nadu. Stalin, who is also the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, assured them of his support and said that he would raise the issue in Parliament as well as with other like-minded parties. He also expressed his concern over the Centre’s interference in the affairs of states and said that it was against the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Conclusion
The meeting between Kejriwal, Mann and Stalin was seen as a significant step in forging a broader alliance of regional parties against the BJP-led Centre’s policies. The AAP leaders thanked Stalin for his hospitality and said that they were hopeful of defeating the ordinance with his help. They also invited him to visit Delhi and Punjab and said that they would work together for the development of their respective states and the country.
