Akali Dal Urges Punjab Governor to Stop Kejriwal's Meetings with Officials

The political landscape in Punjab has taken a contentious turn as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The party has formally appealed to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, urging him to intervene and prevent Kejriwal from conducting meetings with state officials alongside Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This situation has sparked a debate about the constitutional norms governing the relationship between state and central authorities.

According to SAD senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has been operating under what he describes as "remote control" from Delhi. He argues that Kejriwal has now assumed the role of a de-facto Chief Minister, summoning Mann and senior civil and police officials to Delhi at his discretion. Majithia emphasized that such actions are not only inappropriate but also violate the official oath of secrecy that the Chief Minister is bound to uphold.

Majithia provided specific instances to support his claims, stating that Kejriwal has held multiple meetings in recent days with Punjab's Chief Minister, senior officials, and AAP legislators at Kapurthala House in Delhi. Notably, on October 28, Kejriwal called for a meeting that included the state Director General of Police (DGP) and police commissioners from major cities like Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. The following day, he convened two more meetings, further solidifying his influence over Punjab's governance.

In light of these developments, Majithia has urged the Governor to take decisive action. He has called for a prohibition on state government officials attending any meetings convened by Kejriwal in Delhi, asserting that such gatherings undermine the authority of the Punjab government.

This unfolding situation raises important questions about the balance of power between state and central governments in India. As political dynamics continue to evolve, it remains crucial for officials to adhere to constitutional guidelines to maintain the integrity of governance. The call for intervention by the Akali Dal highlights the need for clarity and respect for the roles of elected representatives, ensuring that the democratic process is upheld in Punjab.