After Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena rejected Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's proposal to attend an international conference in Singapore—one of the grounds for the rejection being that his government does not have exclusive domain over the issues to be discussed at the forum— Kejriwal has written to Saxena saying in such a scenario, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be able to go anywhere because in most of his visits he discussed subjects which fall in the state List.
Kejriwal has also written to the ministry of external affairs, seeking clearance to attend the Eighth World Class Summit and WCS Mayors Forum 2022 in Singapore from July 31 to August 3, and for further stay there from August 4 to 7.
Writing back to Saxena on Thursday after the Lt Governor conveyed his advice to the chief minister that he should not attend the conference, Kejriwal said, “If the visit of each Constitutional authority in our country were to be decided on the basis of what subjects fall within the jurisdiction of that authority, it would create a funny situation and a practical logjam.”
“Then the prime minister would not be able to go anywhere because in most of his visits, he also discusses subjects which fall in state list and do not fall in his jurisdiction. Then no CM would ever be able to make any visit anywhere in the world.”
Rejecting the grounds on which the Lt Governor refused to clear the visit, Kejriwal said it is not just a mayors' conference, but the event will be attended by mayors, city leaders and knowledge experts amongst others.
“Singapore government has chosen to invite the CM of Delhi. It is a matter of great pride that the Delhi model of governance, especially our work in education, health and power sector is being discussed and recognised the world over. Singapore government has invited me to present Delhi model before the city leaders from the whole world. It is a matter of great pride for every patriotic Indian. All of us should celebrate it and do our best to facilitate this visit,” he wrote.
Saxena had in his communication stated: “Having studied the nature of the forum and the other attendees, it must be noted that on a prima facie basis this is a conference of Mayors of various cities. The subjects that are being deliberated in this conference cover different aspects of urban governance, which in the case of Delhi are addressed by diverse bodies ranging from NDMC, MCD and DDA in addition to the GNCTD. The GNCTD does not have exclusive domain over these issues corresponding with the the theme of the conference.”
Saxena stated that a WCS Smart Cities workshop is also being organised as a part of the Summit, and in Delhi, the Smart Cities Project is being anchored by the NDMC. The NDMC falls under the jurisdiction of the Central government. “In such a context, it is not advisable for a chief minister to be attending such a conference,” Saxena wrote.
Kejriwal retorted by saying human life is not compartmentalised into the subjects mentioned in the three Lists of the Constitution. He said he differs with the advice of the Lt Governor and asserted that he will go ahead with the visit. He has since sent a proposal to the Central government.
