The Delhi IAS Association on Sunday refuted the Aam Aadmi Party’s claim that its members were on an “undeclared strike.” Revenue Secretary Manisha Saxena, Transport Commissioner Varsha Joshi, South Delhi District Magistrate Amjad Tak and Directorate of Information and Publicity Secretary Jaydev Sarangi told reporters here that IAS officers were “working with utmost sincerity and dedication” and in a neutral manner.
“We have been targeted and victimised and told that we are working with someone. We would like to inform that we are not on strike,” Ms. Saxena said.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been camping at the residence of the Lieutenant Governor with his Cabinet colleagues Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Gopal Rai for about a week to demand an end to the “undeclared strike,” action against officers who had allegedly been skipping work and acceptance of the demand for door delivery of rations to the poor.
Soon after the IAS officers aired concerns about their safety, Mr. Kejriwal assured them in a statement that he would ensure their safety, saying they were part of his family.
Earlier in the day the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to resolve the “constitutional crisis” created by the tussle between Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and the Aam Aadmi Party government, so that the “federal structure” was maintained.
Soon after meeting Mr. Modi on the sidelines of the NITI Aayog general council meeting, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: “I along with the Hon’ble CMs of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala have requested Hon’ble PM today to resolve the problems of the Delhi government immediately.”
The AAP took out a protest march to the residence of Mr. Modi in the evening. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also joined the procession.
Later CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury issued a statement supporting Mr. Kejriwal. “Utilising the office of the governors and Lt. Governors, the BJP central government is seeking to destabilise non-BJP democratically elected State governments,” he charged.
(With PTI inputs)