Delhi L-G removes AAP govt. nominees from boards of power discoms

L-G has taken the action as the appointment of the AAP leaders Jasmine Shah and Naveen Gupta, and other private individuals were ‘grossly illegal’

'Government nominees', including AAP leader Jasmine Shah, appointed to the boards of power discoms in Delhi by the Arvind Kejriwal-led dispensation have been replaced with senior officials, sources at the Lieutenant-Governor's office said on Saturday.

Besides Ms. Shah, a spokesperson of the AAP, those removed from the boards include Naveen Gupta, son of AAP MP N.D Gupta, and other private persons "illegally" appointed as 'government nominees', they claimed.

Also read: Delhi L-G orders removal of AAP govt. nominees from boards of power discoms

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party termed the L-G’s orders removing Ms. Shah and Mr. Gupta from the boards of discoms “illegal and unconstitutional”. The L-G does not have the power to issue such orders, it claimed.

The sources at the L-G’s office, meanwhile, said the finance secretary, power secretary and the MD of Delhi Transco will now represent the city government on the boards of the discoms, in line with the prevalent practice.

Delhi L-G V.K. Saxena had ordered the immediate removal of Ms. Shah, Mr. Gupta and other private individuals "illegally" appointed as government nominees to the boards of the BYPL, BRPL and the TPDDL, they said.

The AAP, however, said only the elected government has powers to issue orders on the subject of electricity. "The L-G has made a complete mockery of all Supreme Court orders and the Constitution. He is openly going around saying that SC orders are not binding on him," the party added.