CMs unite: Soren, Kejriwal, Mann rally to protect Delhi's autonomy

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expresses his solidarity with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who arrived in Jharkhand accompanied by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to seek support against the central government's order that overturns the Supreme Court's Constitutional Court verdict and removes the Delhi government's control over services.

Soren stated the same and organized a joint press conference at his official residence where Kejriwal was addressed as 'Bade Bhai'. Soren said he would also discuss the matter with his father and JMM supremo and Rajya Sabha member Shibu Soren. He justified his support to Kejriwal by saying that the BJP government at the center was not allowing a democratically elected non-BJP government to work, thus attacking the federal structure of democracy in India.

Earlier, Kejriwal shared his strategy to seek support against the ordinance, saying that his aim is to prevent the ordinance from being passed from the Rajya Sabha, where it will be brought up in the monsoon session after a month and a half. He said this is possible because the BJP has only 93 out of 238 members in the Rajya Sabha.

The Delhi Chief Minister said he would seek the support of all, including the BJP and the Congress, among other parties, as the ordinance was an attack on the federal structure and an attempt to strip the democratically elected government of its power. Describing his act as a "war for independence", Kejriwal said there is no doubt that political parties will not support it when people take it as an issue.

Echoing Kejriwal, Mann said, "Desh Kisi Ke Baap Ki Jaagir Nahi" when it was created after the sacrifice of several freedom fighters across the country. He said it is a war to ensure the supremacy of the elected person over the elected person in a democracy.

The ordinance being campaigned against reads: "The Union of India recognizes the legislative and executive powers of the National Capital Territory of Delhi over the 'Services', the Union Government has promulgated the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Order, 2023 setting aside the effect of the Constitution Bench verdict."

The order came a week after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in Government of NCT of Delhi v Union of India recognizing the legislative and executive powers of the National Capital Territory of Delhi over "services".