Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sanjay Singh has praised the Supreme Court verdict on Services, calling it a “slap on the face of the Modi government.” As per the MP, the Supreme Court’s verdict is a significant blow to the BJP-LG’s dictatorial nexus, which had been accused of strangling democracy in Delhi. He stated that the verdict has proven how the Modi government was attempting to undermine the democratically elected government of Delhi.
The MP also congratulated the Kejriwal Government, which he said had done an admirable job, despite the difficult circumstances. He added that if there were no hindrances, the Kejriwal Government would have done an even better job. The decision of the Supreme Court is a clear indication that the Modi government needs to change its attitude and start having faith in the federal structure, he further said.
Shri Sanjay Singh held a press conference on Thursday following the momentous Supreme Court ruling that grants the state government of Delhi control over administrative services on all fronts, with the exception of land, public order, and police. This landmark decision marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of effective governance in Delhi.
Shri Sanjay Singh clarified that Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s battle was never personal; it represented a fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, who sought to punish the two crore citizens of Delhi for democratically electing a party and leader of their choice. He highlighted how the central government’s response to the people of Delhi electing Shri Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP has been to continuously obstruct progress and development in Delhi by impeding the establishment of essential services such as mohalla clinics, government schools, and education reforms. They even obstructed the implementation of the door-to-door delivery of rations in Delhi, denying the citizens of Delhi their rightful entitlements.
He said, “Today, the Supreme Court’s decision has put an end to these malicious and politically motivated tactics employed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This landmark ruling has unveiled the extent to which the central government, under PM Shri Narendra Modi, stifled the elected government headed by Shri Arvind Kejriwal, chosen by the people with a resounding majority and funded through democratic means. The serves as a resounding message that the numerous daily hurdles deliberately imposed upon the Kejriwal government and placed in the path of progress of Delhi were never democratic or legal.”
The Rajya Sabha MP extended his heartiest congratulations to the 20 million citizens of Delhi who steadfastly supported their beloved leader, Shri Arvind Kejriwal, during these trying times. He said that Shri Arvind Kejriwal and dedicated AAP leaders and workers deserve commendation for consistently demonstrating their unwavering commitment to providing exemplary governance despite numerous unnecessary challenges. Their crime, if any, was the audacity to transform Delhi’s government schools and revolutionising the healthcare sector, which were once plagued by the neglect of previous governments. Notably, they have transformed government schools, establishing state-of-the-art facilities such as swimming pools and sports grounds for budding athletes, arranged training in foreign countries for government school teachers, and consistently achieved better Class 12th results than private schools over the past eight years. Their efforts, led by Shri Arvind Kejriwal and Shri Manish Sisodia, have gained global recognition, to such an extent that the First Lady of the United States of America insisted on visiting these exemplary institutions. Their exemplary work in transforming healthcare in Delhi includes the highly acclaimed Mohalla Clinic, a model that has also garnered global recognition.
Shri Sanjay Singh stressed how despite the Delhi Government’s aspirations to implement the door-to-door ration delivery scheme and expand the number of Mohalla Clinics, these initiatives were met with unjustifiable obstructions by the central government through the LG of Delhi. “Yet, as it is often said, the truth may be troubled but never defeated. Today, truth has prevailed, affirming that in a democracy, the public holds the ultimate power, and a government elected by the public is supreme. The Supreme Court verdict underscores that no Lieutenant Governor can supersede the elected government and the people’s mandate, and dictate terms to the people. However, it is disheartening to witness Shri Narendra Modi’s manipulative games, wherein the people of Delhi would vote overwhelmingly for Shri Arvind Kejriwal, only for Modi to appoint an LG with the sole purpose of exerting control over the elected government. This pattern of the Modi government stifling the people’s mandate had continued unabated so far,” he said.
Shri Sanjay Singh reminded PM Shri Narendra Modi that the Prime Minister, being the guardian of this great nation, is entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the principles of fairness and integrity. The 1.4 billion citizens of India look up to him for guidance and leadership. “We appeal to him to abandon the politics of malice and deception, and stop undermining state governments. While engaging in political battles with Shri Arvind Kejriwal is inevitable, it is crucial to acknowledge that he has been elected by the people. Punishing him would mean punishing the very citizens who have placed their trust in him. It would deprive them of their children’s education, healthcare, and basic services. The Supreme Court’s order today is a resounding blow to the attempts made by the Modi government and the Lieutenant Governor to strangle democracy and establish a dictatorial regime.”
The AAP leader added, “This ruling, which upholds the principles of democracy and federal structure, demands a cooperative attitude from the central government towards the elected government of Shri Arvind Kejriwal. We urge the Modi government to at least now adopt a cooperative attitude and refrain from creating new plans to obstruct the actions of Shri Arvind Kejriwal. It is essential to demonstrate a cooperative spirit that instills confidence in the 20 million people of Delhi, assuring them that the Modi government respects the democratic structure, values, and constitution of our great nation. The constitution establishes the government, and the people who elected it have the right to reap the benefits of their choice.”
Shri Sanjay Singh reiterated something that Shri Arvind Kejriwal aptly stated today following the verdict, saying, “until now it felt as though our hands and legs were tied up and we were thrown into a swimming pool, with someone demanding we win an Olympic gold.” He emphasised how, despite facing adverse circumstances and numerous challenges, they have accomplished remarkable achievements. “If not for these impediments, the state of Delhi would have progressed even further, with work being executed even more swiftly and efficiently.”
He criticised certain officers who prioritized the LG over the elected government, neglecting the needs and aspirations of the public. “These officers, who draw their salaries from the hard-earned tax money of the public, are duty-bound to serve them with dedication and integrity. By neglecting their responsibilities and prioritising the LG over the elected government, they have created hardships for the people who pay their salaries,” he added.
Rejoicing in the Supreme Court’s decision, Shri Sanjay Singh described it as a monumental victory not just for the Aam Aadmi Party but for democracy itself, and a testament to the relentless efforts and indomitable willpower of Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal. He hailed Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s unwavering determination and recognized the historic nature of his journey from an income tax commissioner to a prominent political leader, driven by a vision to transform the nation. “Now, driven by this victory, he will accelerate his efforts to fulfill his dreams for India and Delhi. We wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the Supreme Court, as it paves the way for a brighter future for all of us,” he concluded.
