File photo of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today questioned the Centre's spirit of cooperative federalism as he highlighted its "interference" and "impingement" on the rights of the AAP government and voiced his opposition to the land bill.
Adding further pressure on the BJP government, Mr Kejriwal said his counterparts in other states had complained of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) being "misused" and used for "arm-twisting" them.
"I recently spoke with some other CMs. They also mentioned how CBI is being misused for arm-twisting the states," he said.
Speaking at the second meeting of the NITI Aayog's Governing Council in New Delhi, Mr Kejriwal listed instances of impingement on AAP government's rights while referring to the power tussle over jurisdiction issues among others.
"Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), which was being effectively used to curtail corruption in Delhi, has been captured by paramilitary forces. Elected government of Delhi and its CM cannot make appointments of anyone, from peons to secretary," he said.
He also pointed out the Centre's alleged interference in Delhi Home Department functioning through physical presence of Delhi Police. "You cannot govern the country while sitting in Delhi and therefore the spirit of federalism is of utmost importance."
Earlier, Mr Kejriwal said the BJP government's changes to the 2013 Land Acquisition Act through ordinances had nullified its gains, which was a product of years of protracted struggle and "unprecedented" consultations.
"The BJP had then whole-heartedly supported the legislation with the current Speaker of Lok Sabha, the then Chairperson of the Parliamentary standing committee, openly supporting the provisions of this Act. However, the recent Ordinances passed for amending this legislation have nullified all the gains of the 2013 Act," Mr Kejriwal said.