New Delhi: The resumption of services of Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, on Wednesday triggered a fresh war between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal. The AAP insisted that the decision to suspend the licence cancellation order was taken by the Court of Finance Commissioner on the instructions of Mr Baijal, an allegation the L-G dismissed.

AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that Mr Baijal had taken the decision in connivance with the BJP that rules in the Centre. “It goes to show the extent to which the BJP is willing to stoop to in order to protect the hospital mafia, by acting through the Central government-appointed lieutenant-governor,” he said.

“Whenever the elected government takes a strong decision against someone, the L-G’s office or his delegated authorities comes to their rescue and provides succour to them.”

But the L-G distanced himself from the decision, calling AAP’s allegations “a misinformation campaign launched by vested interests”. “The office of the lieutenant-governor at no stage is/was involved in this matter,” an official statement from Mr Baijal’s office said.

Mr Baijal said the decision was taken by the “quasi judicial” body and its “function are performed by the Financial Commiss-ioner, Delhi as per his/her judgment without any interference.”