The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday lashed out at the Centre for its notification on curtailing the jurisdiction of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi Government, which is under President’s Rule.
The notification, issued on July 23, says it “shall apply to the officers and employees of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi,” which means that complaints of corruption against Delhi Police and Delhi Development Authority will no longer be handled by the ACB, as these fall under the Central Government.
“It is extremely shocking that the Narendra Modi Government, which came to power on the promise of eradicating corruption, is doing completely the opposite of that,” a statement issued by AAP said.
AAP demanded that the BJP-led Central Government should immediately withdraw the “unjustified notification” and questioned the BJP as to why the Narendra Modi Government was “attempting to save the Ministers of the former UPA Government who were involved in the ₹54,000-crore natural gas pricing scam.” Early this year, the Kejriwal Government had, under the original 1993 notification, filed an FIR alleging collusion by two UPA ministers, Veerappa Moily and Murli Deora, on charges of allegedly fixing gas prices in Andhra’s KG Basin to benefit Reliance Industries.
The AAP said it would take the issue to the people of Delhi and conduct awareness campaigns. “Delhiites raise yr voice if you want corruption-free governance…Central govt’s move also shows that BJP is confident that AAP is forming the next govt…” tweeted Kejriwal.