delhi

Updated: May 21, 2015 11:44 IST

The Centre is understood to be mulling various options, including a strong message to Delhi government to run the administration in accordance with Constitutional provisions, in the wake of ongoing controversy triggered by the appointment of a top bureaucrat.

Sources said sending a communication under the Article 355 of the Constitution to the Delhi government asking it to function in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution is one of the options before the central government.

Under Article 355, the central government may ask any state government to ensure that the governance is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

However, it is only in the consultation stage whether to use the provision or not and no final decision has been taken yet, the sources said.

Home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asked Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to sit together and find a solution to the ongoing turf war triggered by the appointment of acting chief secretary Shakuntala Gamlin.



Read | Kejriwal-Jung standoff: L-G cancels postings, Delhi CM writes to Modi

So far, the home ministry has been maintaining that the L-G as well as the chief minister should discharge their duties in accordance with rules and the Constitution.

The confrontation over Gamlin's appointment as acting chief secretary turned into a full-blown war between the ruling AAP and the Lieutenant Governor last week with Kejriwal alleging that Jung was trying to take over the administration.

Despite Kejriwal's strong opposition, Jung appointed Gamlin to the post on Friday. On Saturday, the chief minister had asked her not to take charge of the post but she ignored his directive and followed the L-G's order.



Read | Kejriwal vs Jung: Delhi officers seek clarification on whom to report

on Tuesday, both Jung and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met the President separately and apprised him of their respective stands. Jung had also called on the home minister after meeting the President.

The Delhi government comes under the administrative control of the Union home ministry.



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