L-G meeting on CCTV issue riles up AAP government

New Delhi: The AAP government on Thursday launched a fresh attack on lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal after he held a meeting on the status of CCTV camera installation in the city, dubbing his actions “illegal” and said he should follow the Constitution and not be a “dictator”.

“The L-G shud respect and follow the Constitution (sic),” chief minister Kejriwal tweeted while his deputy Manish Sisodia said the L-G should not attempt to run a parallel government as he does not have any power to call a meeting on issues which are under the government’s domain.

Their reaction comes hours after the L-G held a meeting on law and order where the current status of CCTV cameras installation, a pre-poll promise of AAP, was taken up.

In a tweet, Mr Baijal said he had directed authorities concerned to have an inter-agency group to formulate Standing Opera-ting Procedure for uniformity in installation.

A statement from Raj Niwas said that during the meeting it was discussed that the main purpose of CCTVs is crime prevention and safety.  “If CCTV cameras are instal-led by different agencies without coordination with police in a haphazard manner, the whole purpose of installation of CCTVs would be defeated.

Therefore, the L-G has directed to form an inter-agency group to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure,” it said. “L-G sir, pl don’t be a dictator. This is attempt to run parallel govt in Delhi. Its illegal. U don’t hv power to call meeting on issues under elected govt’s domain,” Mr Sisodia tweeted. “Under Constitution! u can ONLY express difference of opinion on decision of elected govt. Pl respect the Const (sic),” he said.n BJP: CCTVs are must for women’s security: The AAP government is in the process of implementing the CCTV scheme in the national capital. The L-G and the AAP dispensation have had almost daily run-ins with the latter accusing him of encroaching on its powers.

In February this year, Mr Kejriwal had expressed hope that the Supreme Court, which is seized of the matter regarding administrative control over Delhi, will deliver the judgement in his government’s favour.