Soon after the Supreme Court delivered its verdict in a drawn-out tussle for power between the Delhi government and the Centre, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday expressed gratitude to the top court and said that “democracy won” following the judgment.
In a huge win for the Delhi government, the Supreme Court today said that in a democratic form of government, the real power of administration must rest on the elected arm of the government. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said that the pace of development in Delhi will increase manifold with this decision.
“Heartfelt thanks to the Hon’ble Supreme Court for doing justice to the people of Delhi. With this decision, the pace of development of Delhi will increase manifold. Democracy won,” Kejriwal tweeted.
A Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous verdict, said that the Delhi government must have control over services, and the Lieutenant Governor is bound by its decision.The court said that the Delhi government similar to other States represents the representative form of government and any further expansion of the Union’s power will be contrary to the Constitutional scheme.Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also reacted to the verdict and said in a Punjabi tweet, “A warm welcome to the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court today in favor of the people of Delhi… I sincerely salute the sincere struggle of @ArvindKejriwal Ji to save democracy in the country. A big victory has been sealed. Long live revolution.”