Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal leaves L-G’s office, claims a ‘small victory’ as deadlock with IAS officers ends

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal left Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal’s office to end a nine-day protest against an alleged strike by IAS officers working with his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said IAS officers had attended meetings of the transport, environment and civil supplies ministries and he expected more civil servants to resume work.

Kejriwal, Sisodia, health minister Satyendar Jain and development minister Gopal Rai had camped at Baijal’s office-cum-residence since June 11, refusing to leave until the L-G made IAS officers end an alleged strike and make them cooperate with their Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

Emerging from the L-G’s house on Tuesday evening, Kejriwal termed it a ‘small victory’. AAP supporters cheered him as he came out of the L-G’s office and later, he was given a welcome at his residence where he addressed party workers.

“If the L-G has prompted the strike by IAS officers, it is very unfortunate. It is a small victory. Ninety nine per cent of the IAS officers are very good. We have done a lot in power and water sectors and we could not have done this alone,” he told party workers.

“But some officers in private told us that they were being pressured not to work with the AAP government. We were silent for the last four months over the IAS officers’ strike. But we wanted to resolve the issue. That is why we felt that the matter should be brought before the public. The battle for Delhi’s statehood will continue,” the chief minister said.

Sisodia said six IAS officers, including chief secretary Anshu Prakash who was allagedly attacked by AAP leaders, attended key meetings with ministers. The deputy CM claimed that some officers have told him that they had pressure from the top but now they (officers) “received the nod from the top” to attend meetings with AAP ministers.

Sisodia’s statement came after Delhi’s L-G Baijal urged Kejriwal to meet IAS officers at the Delhi Secretariat in his first response to the chief minister’s sit-in protest after a week’s silence.

“It was not a dharna. We were waiting to meet the lieutenant governor,” the deputy CM said, referring to the AAP leaders’ actions at the L-G’s office over the past week.

“Sitting inside the L-G’s office cannot resolve the issue of doorstep delivery of ration. I spoke to the chief minister and Gopal Rai, and they have agreed that they will come out of the L-G’s office,” Sisodia said.

The IAS officers had on Monday indicated that they were open to formal discussions with the state government after Kejriwal assured them their safety and dignity.

“I wish to assure them that I will ensure their safety and security with all my powers and resources available at my command. I have given similar assurances earlier also to many officers who have been meeting me privately. I reiterate it,” Kejriwal said on Sunday.