Arvind Kejriwal, who is seeking the support of opposition parties against the Delhi ordinance, met Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday. The Centre, through an ordinance, has formed a panel to decide on transfers and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi, thereby taking the power away from the Kejriwal-led government.

Arvind Kejriwal, who is seeking the support of opposition parties against the Delhi ordinance, met Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday. The Centre, through an ordinance, has formed a panel to decide on transfers and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi, thereby taking the power away from the Kejriwal-led government.

Kejriwal was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha and Delhi minister Atishi.

“All our powers were taken away in 2015 and for eight years we fought in the Supreme Court,” Kejriwal said.

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He added, “The day a decision came from the SC, the Union government brought an ordinance and took our power. This clearly shows they don’t believe in the Supreme Court.”

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The Centre, through an ordinance, took away the Arvind Kejriwal-led government’s control over bureaucrats in Delhi. The move came after the top court said the Delhi government has the authority over the transfers and postings of bureaucrats.

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It is to be noted that the transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the May 11 verdict of the Supreme Court.

“Their leaders abuse judges. Their people campaign against Supreme Court judges. This ordinance clearly shows that whatever decision is taken by the SC they will not accept,” Kejriwal said, blaming the BJP.

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Taking the example of the split in Shiv Sena and the subsequent fall of the Uddhav-led government in Maharashtra, Kejriwal said the BJP used money power and central agencies to bring down the government.

“Or they will bring an ordinance and take away the power. They had operation lotus in Delhi as well but they failed,” Kejriwal further said.

“I am thankful to Shiv Sena (UBT) for supporting us and helping the people of Delhi. This is not just a fight for Delhi but for the entire country. We all have to fight together,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, who lost his party to Eknath Shinde, who later went on to form a government with the support of the BJP, said, “We all have come together to save the country and democracy. I think we should not be called opposition parties. In fact, they (Centre) should be called the Opposition since they are against democracy and Constitution.”

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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who accompanied Kejriwal to Matoshree, said elected, not selected people are running the government, referring to L-G VK Saxena’s tussle with the AAP government in Delhi.

“If they [BJP] come back to power in 2024, they will change the Constitution. They sold everything. They are harassing the judiciary. Therefore, we are here to urge Uddhav ji to support us,” Mann said.

Kejriwal had also met West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata as part of his effort to collect support for the AAP’s fight against the Delhi ordinance.