Appointment of Chief Secretary: Kejriwal seeks people's view

Amid row over appointment of new acting Chief Secretary of Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today sought opinion of Delhities through social media.

Accusing senior bureaucrat Shakuntala Gamlin of "being close" to power companies, Kejriwal asked if an officer close to corporate should be given top bureaucratic post in Delhi government.

He also asked if a Chief Minister elected by the citizens of the city should have right of selection of officer or not.

On micro-blogging website-twitter Kejriwal today wrote, "My Q 2 Delhites - Shud a person perceived to be very close to bijli cos be made CS of Del? Shud elected CM have no say in selection?"

My Q 2 Delhites - Shud a person perceived to be very close to bijli cos be made CS of Del? Shud elected CM have no say in selection?(1/2)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 16, 2015

All over country, huge nexus betn politicians, officers n cos.In Del, v r trying to break that nexus.That's why whole system opposing(2/2)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 16, 2015

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the Chief Minister are at loggerhead after LG yesterday gave the additional charge of Chief Secretary to Gamlin, a 1984-batch IAS officer.

The move came hours after she wrote a scathing letter to Jung claiming that she was pressurised by a senior bureaucrat in CM's office not to be in race for the post due to her alleged proximity to BSES discoms.

In a series of tweets he mentioned that his government is working to break the "nexus" between politicians, officers and corporate, which is why the whole system is opposing them.

"All over country, huge nexus betn politicians, officers n cos. In Del, v r trying to break that nexus. That's why whole system opposing," (sic) he wrote.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also came in support of Delhi Chief Minister.

Supporting Kejriwal, Abdullah wrote on twitter, "Like it or not, right choice or wrong a CM must be free to choose his or her own team of officers. This back seat driving damages democracy."

In a series of tweet Abdullah mentions, "Why bother to have elections for a state government if the mandate is going to be bypassed & the state run from Raj Niwas?"