Najeeb Jung, the Lieutenant Governor on Thursday has resigned his post and submitted his resignation to Centre. Now everybody is thinking who could be the best one for the post. However, there are speculations that the next LG’s appointment would be politically influenced.
The sudden resignation of the Jung’s caught everyone unawares. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi has claimed that the LG had given no indication of his plan to resign two days ago when he had met him in a meeting. Even LG’s office and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are also surprised.
Centre has made a list of suitable candidates
When asked the reason behind his resignation to the post, he said he would join his first love-academics. According to sources, Centre government has considered several names for this post like former IAS officer Anil Baijal, former Delhi police commissioner BS Bassi, current LG of Pondicherry Kiran Bedi, former IAS officers GK Pillai, VK Duggal and DM Sapolia, and BJP leader Jagdish Mukhi.
Sources also said that while the appointment of the new LG may be politically influenced, it is extremely doubtful that a politician would be anointed.
“The Delhi LG is the top administrator. Therefore, a politician has never been appointed. However, the political leanings of the official may play a major factor in the decision,” said a source in the LG’s office. He added that the current decision taken by the LG may have been influenced by the Union government.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal expressed his surprise on twitter
There are speculations that Delhi may see its first woman LG. At the same time, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia expressed their surprise on twitter at the sudden announcement. Both leaders wished Jung the very best for his future endeavors.
“I spoke to Najeeb Jung over the phone and he said that he has resigned for personal reasons,” reports quoted Kejriwal. The bitter confrontation amid Kejriwal and Jung has been persistently in the news for the past two years.
He had formed a committee, chaired by VK Shunglu on August 30, to examine 400 files on the decision taken by the Kejriwal government.
Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari appreciated Jung for the work he did during his tenure and asked Delhiites to respect his decision. The Congress, however, criticized the government for Jung’s unpredictable resign and also questioned the timing of his unceremonious quit.
“The PM should explain if there was any deal between him and Kejriwal behind the exit of Jung. The Congress will come out to the streets and protest if an RSS-connected or RSS-supported person is appointed as LG,” said Ajay Maken, Delhi Congress chief.
Najeeb Jung expressed gratitude to center and Delhi government
Najeeb Jung is a 1973 batch IAS officer and was vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University before he was appointed Delhi’s LG on July 9, 2013
“The LG’s resignation will be submitted to the President of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, till the time a new LG is appointed Jung will continue to occupy the chair, in case any emergency arrives,” said SK Sharma, former Secretary of Delhi Assembly.
Najeeb Jung expressed his gratitude in his official statement, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Delhi and Kejriwal for their support over the past three years.
