In today’s Rajya Sabha session, AAP MP Raghav Chadha strongly criticized the Delhi Services Bill proposed by the BJP. He called it a “political fraud,” a “constitutional sin,” and an “administrative logjam.” Chadha labeled the Bill as the most undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal legislation ever presented in the House.
Chadha highlighted a recent Supreme Court ruling that stated civil servants in the Government of NCT of Delhi are accountable to the elected Council of Ministers led by the Chief Minister. He stressed that this accountability is crucial for a democratic and accountable form of government.
However, Chadha argued that the newly introduced Ordinance undermines this accountability structure by transferring control from the elected Government of Delhi to the unelected LG. He accused the Ordinance of aiming to reduce the Delhi government to its elected aspect, lacking the necessary governing mechanism to fulfill its mandate.
Chadha outlined five key points that make the Bill unconstitutional. He claimed that it abuses ordinance-making powers, challenges the Supreme Court’s authority, erodes federalism, and dismantles the triple chain of accountability. Additionally, he argued that the Bill strips an elected government of its authority, placing it in the hands of unelected officials under the LG.
Chadha criticized the BJP for adopting a “Nehruvian” stance when it suits their agenda and urged them to embrace a “Vajpayeewadi” or “Advaniwadi” approach for Delhi. He mentioned the efforts made by veteran leaders in pursuing statehood for Delhi, including LK Advani who introduced a State of Delhi Bill in 2003. Chadha displayed manifestos and copies of the Bill to highlight BJP’s commitment to Delhi’s statehood from 1977 to 2015.
In conclusion, Chadha drew parallels between the historic war of Mahabharata and urged parties in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for support against the Bill.
