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The ongoing political tension between Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reached a new peak with Saxena's recent New Year's greeting to Atishi, the current Chief Minister. Saxena's letter, far from being a simple well-wishing message, serves as a pointed critique of Kejriwal's leadership and a veiled defense of Atishi's position. The core of Saxena's criticism centers on Kejriwal's characterization of Atishi as a 'temporary' or 'kaam chalau' Chief Minister. Saxena finds this remark deeply objectionable, arguing that it demonstrates disrespect not only towards Atishi herself but also towards the President of India, who appointed her, and Saxena, as the President's representative in Delhi. The LG explicitly states that there is no constitutional basis for such a designation, highlighting the perceived undermining of democratic norms and established protocols.
Saxena's letter meticulously contrasts Atishi's performance with that of her predecessor, Kejriwal. He highlights the significant workload Atishi has shouldered since assuming office, managing multiple departments and actively addressing administrative issues. This, he contrasts starkly with Kejriwal's tenure, which Saxena portrays as marked by a lack of involvement in government departments and a failure to sign crucial files. This comparison is designed to underscore the perceived disparity in leadership and commitment to governance, casting Atishi in a favorable light while simultaneously criticizing Kejriwal's past performance. By directly highlighting the significant administrative tasks undertaken by Atishi, Saxena indirectly accuses Kejriwal of neglect and abdicating his responsibilities as Chief Minister during his time in office.
Beyond the personal criticisms directed at Kejriwal, Saxena's letter also delves into broader concerns about the state of Delhi's governance. He mentions various pressing issues facing the city, including the deteriorating Yamuna river, water scarcity, the accumulation of garbage, and the poor condition of roads and sewer lines. Saxena's framing of these problems isn't merely a factual statement but a strategic move to contextualize Atishi's challenges. The implicit suggestion is that Atishi inherits a deeply problematic situation, and finding immediate solutions within a short timeframe is an extremely difficult task. By emphasizing these significant problems, Saxena seems to indirectly acknowledge the herculean effort required to address them, mitigating any criticism leveled at Atishi's performance during a relatively short tenure.
The letter further touches upon controversial announcements made by the AAP government, particularly those targeting senior citizens and women. Saxena accuses these announcements of being 'unauthorized,' thereby highlighting a lack of transparency and proper governance. He also underscores the subsequent actions of Delhi government departments in issuing public notices cautioning people against these schemes. The LG interprets these actions as an indicator of internal discord and challenges to Atishi's authority, expressing worry about the internal workings of the Delhi government. Saxena also refutes allegations made by Kejriwal that a plan is afoot to send Atishi to prison, suggesting that these accusations are baseless and form part of a deliberate campaign to discredit both the current Chief Minister and the LG himself. This rebuttal emphasizes the underlying power struggle between the LG and the AAP government, highlighting an ongoing conflict for legitimacy and control over the administration of Delhi.
In conclusion, Saxena's New Year's greeting to Atishi transcends a simple gesture of goodwill. It functions as a multifaceted political statement, simultaneously praising Atishi's performance, criticizing Kejriwal's leadership style and past actions, highlighting the multifaceted challenges facing Delhi, and implicitly raising questions about the legitimacy of the AAP's governance. The letter reveals the deep-seated political tensions within Delhi’s power structure, with Saxena actively shaping the narrative surrounding the current Chief Minister and implicitly challenging the legitimacy of the AAP's claims to effective governance. The absence of a response from the AAP further underscores the escalating nature of this political confrontation and sets the stage for further political sparring between the LG and the ruling party.
Source: In New Year greetings to Atishi, L-G says, ‘pained at you being called temporary CM by Kejriwal’