INDIA: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, seeking clearance from the Centre for his visit to Singapore for the “World Cities’ Summit“.
Simon Wong, the high commissioner for Singapore, invited Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for a conference on August 1. However, Kejriwal has not received approval for the trip from the Centre.
According to sources, the matter is unresolved in the office of the new Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. Governor Kumar refrained CM Kejriwal from attending the summit since the meeting is held for the mayors, and a CM should not be a part of such events.
Kejriwal seeks the constitutional authorities to keep the Prime Minister under the law-abided jurisdiction. According to him, even a PM is not allowed to make global visits if subjects don’t fall under the right domain.
The AAP party shared an official note that read: “It is a matter of immense pride and honour for a CM to be invited to such a summit, but Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena dismissed the plea for the chief minister’s Singapore visit. This would create a ‘funny situation and a practical logjam’.”
Showing disconcerts in Saxena’s decision, the CM said, “I humbly differ with the advice of LG. We will go ahead with the visit. Kindly apply for political clearance from the central government.”
According to the CM and his AAP party, it is a direct disregard for their minister, and the same rule should be implemented upon the Prime Minister.
As per Indian concordat, an elected member of a state needs clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs before any overseas visit.
Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in a statement, says, “The chief minister has replied that in his capacity and understanding, he does not concur with the advice of the LG as the invitation concerns him presenting the Delhi Model in front of leaders from across the globe.”
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