Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has once again riled the Centre with his audacious move to induct five policemen from Bihar in the State government’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Delhi police is directly under the administrative control of the Union Home Ministry.

Kejriwal’s move was political. He reportedly requested three non-BJP Chief Ministers — Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee — to help fill the understaffed ACB by deputing policemen from their respective States.

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung’s office responded to this development by asserting that the ACB, which is a police station, has to function “under the authority, control and supervision of the Lt Governor”.

A reference was made to the Home Ministry’s clarification note, which places the control of administrative powers of most services in Delhi under the control of the Lt Governor. The AAP government in the State is contesting this notification.

A police station The Union Home Ministry too backed Jung, stating that no appointment can be made in the Delhi ACB without his clearance. Agencies quoted Home Ministry officials as saying that as per the CrPC, the ACB is a police station and the police in Delhi come under the Lt Governor.

The AAP once again asserted that the Centre is blocking these appointments because “they do not want a strong ACB in Delhi”. “The LG is being controlled by the Centre,” said party leader Ashutosh.

Friendly advice Meanwhile, the BJP came up with some “friendly advice” for the Delhi Chief Minister. Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad suggested that he “focus on governance”.

“Mr Kejriwal has won a decisive victory. I regret to say that governance in Delhi has become a casualty of politics.

“Let me give him (Kejriwal) some uncalled for advice — governance is serious business. Please bear this in mind,” said Prasad.

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