Government At A Standstill After Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: High Court

The Delhi High Court stated that Arvind Kejriwal’s absence cannot deprive children of their free text books. It emphasized that the Chief Minister’s position in a bustling capital like Delhi is not merely ceremonial; the office holder must be available 24×7. The court stressed that his absence should not result in children being deprived of their free text books, writing material, and uniforms. In response, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) downplayed the court’s comments and affirmed that Mr Kejriwal would remain the chief minister of Delhi.

Senior leader Sanjay Singh reiterated this position, highlighting that the same High Court had dismissed three petitions seeking Mr Kejriwal’s removal as Chief Minister. The court also remarked that national interest and public interest demand that the Chief Minister should not be unavailable for prolonged or uncertain periods. It pointed out that the admission of Delhi’s Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj suggested a standstill in the Delhi government due to the Chief Minister’s absence. During the hearing, the High Court criticized Mr Kejriwal, the Delhi government, and the civic body for their failure to provide textbooks.

The judges expressed concern that Mr Kejriwal’s insistence on retaining his position following his arrest in the Delhi liquor policy case prioritizes political interests over national interest. In a counter response, the office of the Lieutenant Governor accused the AAP-led Delhi government and Saurabh Bharadwaj of delaying the approval of a proposal to temporarily enhance the financial powers of the MCD Commissioner. The officials argued that this delay has hindered crucial projects linked to education, health, and sanitation due to the absence of the Standing Committee of the Corporation for over a year.