Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia with CM Arvind Kejriwal. (File Photo)
In what could trigger a fresh confrontation between the Centre and Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the Union Home Ministry on Tuesday removed nine advisers appointed to the state government. According to reports, the advisers have been removed on the pretext that their posts were not approved by the finance ministry.
Among the nine advisors whose appointment has been cancelled are Amardeep Tiwari (media advisor to law minister), Arunodya Prakash (media advisor to deputy chief minister), Raghav Chadha (advisor to finance minister), Atishi Marlena (media advisor to Deputy CM Manish Sisodia).
Reacting strongly against the Centre's decision, AAP's Raghav Chadhad described the step as 'diversionary tactics' to divert people's attention from issues like women safety and cash crunch
"Impressive diversionary tactics by the MHA, at the behest of BJP. To divert attention from spate of rapes, cash crunch etc. an opportune time to rake up non issues with AAP like retrospective sacking for a post I held for 45days in 2016 for a paltry sum of Rs.2.50/-" Chadha tweeted.
The appointment cancellation order issued by Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal is likely to intensify the turf war between the AAP government and the Modi government. The Kejriwal government has had several run-ins with Baijal's predecessor Najeeb Jung.
