Arvind Kejriwal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting soon after Mr Kejriwal took oath as Delhi Chief Minister.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to complain that the "Centre is trying to rule Delhi through Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung." He has demanded that the elected Delhi government be allowed to "work independently as per the Constitution."
In his letter, Mr Kejriwal has sought that the Prime Minister stop what the Chief Minister alleges is the LG's "interference in the functioning of the Delhi Govt."
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party and Chief Minister Mr Kejriwal have been engaged a power struggle with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, who represents the Centre, since they took office three months ago. The tussle spiraled into a full-fledged war in the last few days over the appointment of key bureaucrats in the Delhi government.
It began with the appointment by Mr Jung of an officer, Shakuntala Gamlin, as Acting Chief Secretary of Delhi, vehemently opposed by Mr Kejriwal.
Both sides have taken the fight to President Pranab Mukherjee, accusing the other of violating the Constitution and overstepping their respective jurisdictions.
Hours before Mr Kejriwal met the President yesterday, Mr Jung had, in a sudden turn of events, called on Mr Mukherjee to brief him on what has been described by some as a "Constitutional crisis-like situation in Delhi".
The Lt Governor maintains that he has the power to appoint and transfer bureaucrats. Delhi does not have full statehood status which means that many administrative functions, including law and order, are controlled by the Centre through the LG.
Mr Kejriwal, who met Mr Mukherjee along with his deputy Manish Sisodia, has alleged that the "LG is functioning as if there is President's Rule in the national capital and there is no elected government here."
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to meet the President this afternoon. Mr Jung had met Mr Singh yesterday.