IAS Officers Seek Transfers to Duck Becoming Prisoners of Delhi War

New Delhi: At least 20 senior bureaucrats have reportedly indicated that they would like to be relocated from Delhi to avoid becoming prisoners of the war between Arvind Kejriwal and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.

Sources in the Union Home Ministry said that the bureaucrats looking to be re-assigned have not made formal requests for transfers because they fear they will then be persecuted by the Delhi government, which is headed by Mr Kejriwal.

Over the last few days, a long-simmering feud between the Lieutenant Governor and him has taken on epic proportions. Both men claim they have the final say on appointment  of government officers. Both met today with President Pranab Mukherjee to make their cases.

"We will find a solution to this crisis," said Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Because Delhi is a Union Territory and not a full-fledged state, it is the Lieutenant Governor, as the representative of the Union government, who assigns bureaucrats to offices, says Mr Jung - a position that the Union government reportedly agrees with, according to sources in the Home Ministry.

But Mr Kejriwal and his supporters, and many others say that as the elected head of state, the Chief Minister cannot be ignored in the assignation of important posts.

The flashpoint for the crisis was last week's appointment by Mr Jung of Shanktala Gamlin as the Acting Chief Secretary, which makes her the most senior bureaucrat in the government. Mr Kejriwal said Mr Jung's choice was unacceptable to him because Ms Gamlin misused her post in the Power department to financially benefit the firms that supply electricity to the capital. Ignoring Mr Kejriwal's request to turn down the assignment, Ms Gamlin got to work yesterday in her new office.

Another bureaucrat found the going equally tough. Anindo Majumdar was locked out of his office on the orders of the Delhi government yesterday - punishment for releasing the appointment letter for Ms Gamlin in her new position.

Mr Kejriwal's attempt to replace Mr Majumdar with another bureaucrat was declared void by Mr Jung.

The Home Ministry, which is vested with substantial responsibility in running the capital, is keen to broker a quick truce. "Bureaucrats and governments often have differences, but if officers are targeted and their reputations are tarnished, no officer would like to keep working there," a senior bureaucrat told NDTV.