Kejriwal to meet Mamata, seek support against Centre's ordinance on control of services in Delhi

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be meeting his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on May 23 as part of a nationwide tour to garner support for his fight against the Centre’s ordinance

As part of a nationwide tour to garner support for his fight against the Centre's ordinance on control of services in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be meeting his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on May 23, an official said.

Mr. Kejriwal, who will be accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is taking on the Central ordinance of setting up a National Capital Civil Service Authority which essentially overturns a Supreme Court order last week giving control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi.

"Today, I am starting my journey around the country for the rights of the people of Delhi. The Supreme Court had passed a judgement giving justice to the people of Delhi. The Centre snatched away those rights by bringing the ordinance," Mr. Kejriwal said.

"When this comes in the Rajya Sabha, it has to be ensured that it not passed. I will meet the leaders of all political parties and ask for support," he added.

The National Capital Civil Service Authority, where the Chief Minister will be the sole representative of the elected government, will handle the transfer of IAS and DANICS cadre officers and also matters of disciplinary proceedings against them.

The AAP has announced that it will hold a “maha rally” at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on June 11 against the “black ordinance”.