BJP welcomes SC’s verdict, asks AAP to shun ‘demand’ of full statehood

New Delhi: The Delhi BJP has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on the power tussle involving the office of Lieutenant Governor and the AAP government, and said the ruling party should now shun its "political demand" of full statehood to the city.

BJP lawmaker and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta said the top court verdict on Wednesday has directed the AAP government to follow the law and it is expected that they will do so.

In a landmark verdict on the power tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal does not have independent decision-making powers, and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

Read: L-G must act harmoniously with Delhi govt, says Supreme Court

It said all decisions of the Council of Ministers must be communicated to the Lieutenant Governor or L-G but that does not mean his concurrence is required. "We welcome the SC verdict. The Delhi government should have been following the law even without the order of the court. We hope, they will do so after the judgement," he said.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the verdict has "decided" that Delhi is a Union Territory and the AAP should stop raising their "political demand" for full statehood to the city.

"It is now decided that Delhi is a UT. So, the AAP and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should stop raising the full statehood demand."

Kapoor said the judgement has directed for more cooperation between the L-G and the city Cabinet and that all parties concerned should respect the verdict.

The Supreme Court’s decision is a major victory for the AAP government which has been in a constant tug-of war with L-G Anil Baijal, and also his predecessor Najeeb Jung, over the power wielded by the two branches of the executive.