Congress Questions Najeeb Jung's Resignation: 'Centre Will Have To Tell What Happened'

New Delhi: Calling Najeeb Jung's surprise move to resign as Delhi Lieutenant Governor 'unceremonious', the Congress today demanded an explanation from the centre. "This is an unceremonious exit. Central government will have to tell what happened. We also want to know what is the deal between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, due to which he (Najeeb Jung) has been removed," senior Congress leader Ajay Maken said, adding "We feel there has been a deal between the BJP and AAP because of which he has been made to leave. The central government should come out clean."

Senior leader from the party PC Chacko added, "I do not know whether it has political reason or is a personal decision. It is difficult for any state government to work under the central. The governor was not free to act and work under the tune of the government. The BJP does not take a neutral stand. Governor should be above politics. BJP wants them to act according to BJP likes and dislikes. That may be the reason behind the resignation."

Najeeb Jung, 65, during his tenure as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, had many bitter battles with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party government. He resigned on Thursday evening and said that he will return to academics. He gave no other reason for his sudden decision to quit.

Najeeb Jung is a former bureaucrat and Vice Chancellor of the Jamia Millia Islamia University. Sources close to Najeeb Jung have claimed it was not a sudden decision and he had been thinking of quitting for some months.

(With inputs from agencies)