DMK backs Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's fight against 'Delhi ordinance'

CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin has promised his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal the DMK's backing to block the Centre's ordinance nullifying the Supreme Court order that granted the Delhi government control of bureaucracy and services.
Flanked by Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhawant Mann here on Thursday, Stalin appealed to all chief ministers and political parties to block the bill in the Rajya Sabha where the BJP does not have a majority. Such coordination was necessary to preserve democracy, Stalin said.
The Modi-led BJP government at the Centre was giving a lot of trouble to the elected Delhi government, Stalin added.
Kejriwal said the defeat of the Union government's bill in the Rajya Sabha would send out a strong message that the entire opposition has come together. "And may be, (in) 2024, the Modi government is not going to come back," he added.
"With every passing day, I am feeling more confident that we should be able to defeat it [the bill in Parliament] and as I have already said this will be almost like a semi-final for 2024," Kejriwal said.
Stalin happy with healthy meeting to save democracy
Thanking Stalin for supporting him, Kejriwal exuded confidence that the Congress too would support the move to defeat the bill in the Rajya Sabha. "I have sought an appointment with Rahul (Gandhi) and (Mallikarjun) Kharge and I am waiting for their response. I am very confident that the Congress should support," Kejriwal said.
Stalin expressed happiness that his meeting with AAP leaders had taken place in a very healthy and spirited way to protect democracy. "It is my desire that this should continue, not just for the sake of Parliament elections, but to save democracy," he added.
Asked about Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar's opposition parties' meeting scheduled to take place on June 12, aimed at forging unity of non-BJP parties ahead of 2024 LS polls, Stalin said he had asked for a change of date has he had to attend the opening of the Mettur Dam sluices on that day. "The Congress is also unable to participate as Rahul has gone abroad. Kharge and I have asked for a change of date. I told Kejriwal as well now. He said he was trying to change it and would change it," Stalin said.
For his part, Mann said the AAP's outreach was to save democracy in the entire country and not just Delhi. "The BJP is running the non-BJP governments in the states through ordinances or governors' houses. Stalin has to fight with the governor. He (the governor) is not signing the bills or reading the speeches passed by the council of ministers. Same in Punjab. I have to move the Supreme Court to call an assembly budget session. This is not fair on democracy or federal structure," he said.