Modi sarkar won’t return in 2024: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

Shiv Sena (UBT) has aligned with the Opposition to protest against an ordinance that grants excessive powers to the Centre, contrary to a Supreme Court (SC) decision concerning the Delhi government. The announcement on this was made following a meeting between Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday. Kejriwal directly attacked the PM and called him selfish and arrogant.

The arrogant and selfish cannot run the [union] government." He said if the ordinance bill was not passed in the Rajya Sabha it would be a semifinal win before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "After this, Modi Sarkar will not return in 2024," he added.

Accompanied by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal further condemned the BJP, suggesting that they aim to modify any Supreme Court judgment that goes against them by promulgating ordinances.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, and AAP leaders met Uddhav Thackeray and MP Sanjay Raut, in Mumbai. Pic/Atul Kamble

He accused the BJP of disregarding the judiciary, democracy, and the constitution. Despite the Delhi government's triumph in the SC regarding control over transfers and postings of bureaucrats, the Centre introduced an ordinance to transfer these powers back to the
lieutenant governor.

Kejriwal highlighted the BJP's three strategies when they are unable to form a government in a state: attempting to purchase MLAs, utilising Central agencies to induce party-switching, and resorting to ordinances to grab state powers. He commended and expressed gratitude to the Thackeray Sena for opposing the bill in Parliament, "It is not just about Delhi, but about the fight for federalism. The Thackeray Sena has told me that it will oppose the bill in the Parliament," he said.

Also Read: Maharashtra: ‘Beginning of the end of Maha Vikas Aghadi'

Mann recounts Punjab guv incident

Mann recounted an incident in Punjab where the governor rejected the government's plea to hold a budget session. Even after the Supreme Court overturned the rejection, the governor refused to read the speech containing the words "my government." This raised concerns about the role of elected representatives versus appointed individuals like governors.

Thackeray criticised those who undermine democracy and the constitution, emphasising that non-BJP parties should not be labelled as the Opposition but as advocates of democracy. He pointed out the contradiction between the Supreme Court's judgments in the Shiv Sena and Delhi government cases, accusing the Centre of curtailing the powers of the Delhi government through the promulgation of an ordinance. Thackeray expressed concerns that elections, including the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, could potentially be the last.

CM Eknath Shinde reacts

Reacting to Kejriwal's statement that the Modi government would not return next year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will break all previous records under Modi's leadership.

"The leaders can meet, nobody can stop them. But the elections are not won by such meetings. People will decide whether they are under a dictatorship. The people see development and the pace at which it has happened in the past eight-nine years, as compared to the past 70 years," he added.

Kejriwal to meet Sharad Pawar

Kejriwal is scheduled to meet Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Thursday for the same purpose, following his meeting with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Tuesday. Additionally, during his two-day tour in Mumbai, he will focus on his party's preparations for the upcoming Mumbai municipal polls. Kejriwal is accompanied by AAP Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, as well as Delhi Minister Atishi.

After the Shiv Sena split, three Rajya Sabha members - Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, and Priyanka Chaturvedi - have remained with the Uddhav Thackeray faction. The unified Sena had 19 MPs (including one from Dadra Nagar Haveli) in the Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha members. The upcoming voting on the ordinance bill is expected to witness a whip issued by the Shinde-led party, directing its members to vote in favour of the government. The government is likely to secure victory in the Lok Sabha but lacks the necessary numbers in the Upper House.

In the event of a whip violation, the Shinde faction may initiate disciplinary action against the Thackeray group's Rajya Sabha members, leading to another legal battle. While the Supreme Court partially resolved the factional dispute earlier this month, the battle continues before the Vidhan Sabha Speaker.

19
No. of LS MPs that unified Shiv Sena had