L-G wishes Kejriwal on birthday despite bitterness

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday wished chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on his birthday, eliciting a moment of friendliness in their otherwise strai-ned relationship.

The two have often been at loggerheads on the issues of governance and authority. But Mr Baijal’s wish on the Delhi CM’s 50th birthday on Twitter suggested they might have ceased their differences momentarily.

“Birthday wishes to Hon’ble CM @ArvindKej-riwal. Wishing him good health and long life !(sic),” Mr Baijal tweeted. Mr Kejriwal reacted promptly within three minutes of the tweet from Mr Baijal but with a stale response: “Thank u sir (sic).”

The frosty relationship between Mr Kejriwal and Mr Baijal emanate from the chief minister’s sustained attack on the Lie-tuenant Governor’s office over administrative powers of the Delhi government.

The Aam Aadmi Party leadership, including Mr Kejriwal, had been vocal in alleging that Mr Baijal works as an “agent” of BJP to “paralyse” the Delhi government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind too wished Mr Kejriwal on his birthday, which he acknowledged with thanks.