Let's Fight Dengue First, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal Urges Centre

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday urged the central government to fight the dengue menace together, setting aside the political rivalry.

"My request to the central government is: Can't we fight on these issues after two months? Let us fight dengue for now," Kejriwal said, commenting on the Lt. Governor's latest memorandum to the officers, an adding that he has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi making the request.

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The chief minister said that he has received "a memorandum from LG (Najeeb Jung), saying that he has issued instructions (received) from the central government".

In his letter addressed to the prime minister, Kejriwal said, "All the ministers and the employees of the government are working round the clock in fighting dengue..."

"...I request you with folded hands not to spread confusion amongst Delhi government employees by asking them not to follow elected government's order. Allow them to work together as a team," Kejriwal wrote in his letter.

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Kejriwal's comments came a day after Lt. Governor Jung sent a memorandum to all officers posted with the Delhi government, including officers of All India Services, heads of departments, and others.

"The government of India has taken note of the current constitutional position in Delhi and major instances of violation of the constitution, law and rules," the memorandum said.

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It said that change in the pay structure of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service officers according to the government of India was "illegal and ab initio void".

The memorandum also added that if any officer complied with the "illegal" orders, disciplinary action and recovery of financial loss caused to the government would follow.

"The orders declared illegal by the government of India should not be complied with. Should any officer choose to do so, both disciplinary action for compliance of illegal orders, and recovery of financial loss caused to the government as a result of such action, would follow," it said.

Kejriwal's move to write to the prime minister drew sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said Kejriwal should shed the path of confrontation on administrative matters and work for the development of the city.

"Kejriwal's manifesto did not carry a starred line that the conditions of constitutional changes apply before delivery of promises. CM should stop fooling people of Delhi," Upadhyay said here at a press conference.

The BJP has demanded that the Delhi chief minister should stop resorting to rhetoric of confrontation statements which he has been doing for the last seven months and should concentrate on people's aspirations for development.

"Former Delhi CMs have run the government under the same administrative guidelines as they exist for Kejriwal but never has Delhi seen such confrontation. Despite constrains, they worked and brought development to the city," Upadhyay said.

Vijender Gupta, BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition in Delhi Vidhan Sabha, termed Kejriwal's letter to Modi as mischievous in nature and diversionist in intent. He asked Kejriwal not to play politics on such a serious issue of outbreak of dengue in Delhi.

Source-IANS