Centre-Delhi services row: Delhi government resorting to "protests and theatrics on the streets," Centre to Supreme Court

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday led his MLAs to Raj Niwas raising slogans against the objections raised by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena

The Centre accused the Delhi government before a Constitution Bench on January 17 of resorting to "protests and theatrics on the streets" against the Lieutenant Governor even as the Supreme Court is hearing the balance of control between the Arvind Kejriwal government and the Union over the administration of the national capital.

Appearing before a five-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said "constitutional functionaries" should know better than to resort to protests when the Supreme Court is hearing the case. The primary issue adjudicated before the Bench is whether the Centre or Delhi government has control over civil servants, including their postings and transfers, allocated to Delhi departments.

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The Union's complaint came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led his MLAs to Raj Niwas raising slogans against the objections raised by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena to the proposal by Delhi government to send primary teaching in-charges and educators of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to Finland for training. The Kejriwal government has blamed the LG of interfering in the policies of the elected regime in the capital.

"Whatever is happening is seen by the entire world… it is an embarrassment to the entire country," Mr. Mehta submitted.

The Centre said it would furnish the court with the facts if the Bench wanted an explanation on the current debacle.

"We are open to it. I will confine myself to the constitutional and legal issues because protests and theatrics can never take the place of legal submissions before the Constitution Bench," the Solicitor General said.