"People will be v happy if these officers go on long leave. Govt ready to give paid leave. Governance will become honest, smooth in efficient (sic)," Mr Kejriwal tweeted, adding that the government was exploring "all options" against the officers.

The Chief Minister also alleged that Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who reports to the Centre, had attended a meeting of the protesting officers "through speakerphone". Mr Jung was in touch with the prime minister's office, he charged.

This morning, the Centre declared the officers' suspension "null and void" under new rules that require the Prime Minister's sanction for such action.

Mr Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged a "conspiracy" by the Centre. "Why do this a day before the odd-even plan? It is a conspiracy," said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

The mass leave by officers affected a trial run of the odd-even rule that will be in force in Delhi tomorrow. Nearly 40 officers did not report for the pilot.

The officers are protesting against the suspension of Yashpal Garg and Subhash Chandra, who had reportedly refused to sign off on decisions taken by the AAP cabinet and insisted that they must be cleared by the Lieutenant-Governor.

Officers say that only the Lieutenant Governor can take action against the officials who are Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Civil Service (DANICS) cadre.

Around 70 Indian Administrative Service or IAS officers, who work in different departments of Delhi, have also protested.

Most of these officers are also looking after projects related to the road-rationing plan.