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In the midst of the ongoing stand-off between the Delhi Lt Governor and the Aam Aadmi Party government, the Centre on Friday said it has no intention to run the city government through anyone but is conscious of its constitutional responsibility and committed to uphold it.
"We have no intentions to run the Delhi government through anyone. Let them run the government. We just want to uphold the Constitutional provisions," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said at a press conference in New Delhi.
He was replying to a question on whether the Centre wants to run the Delhi government through the Lieutenant Governor as it has given him absolute powers in several matters, including transfer and postings of senior bureaucrats, by issuing a notification, which was challenged in the court by the Arvind Kejriwal government.
"We are not against anyone but it is our responsibility to uphold constitutional provisions. Everyone should remain within the framework of the Constitution," he said without naming anyone.
Asked to comment on Delhi Assembly's resolution holding as "illegal" the Centre's May 21 notification giving more powers to the LG and Kejriwal's statement that the Narendra Modi-led government is trying to push the country towards "dictatorship", the home minister said he would not like to say anything on this but added that the government was committed to uphold the Constitution.
Singh further said that if any law and order situation arises in the national capital, the central government is obliged to intervene.
"I don't want to say who is doing what but we are committed to uphold the Constitution. Law and order is also my duty... we will see," he said.
When asked if a jung (war) is going on between the Centre and the Delhi government, Singh said in a lighter vein, "There is no jung, only Najeeb Jung."
Ram Temple important, but focus is on development
Rajnath also acknowledged that building of Ram temple in Ayodhya is an important issue and the Government would welcome an out of
court settlement but as such it was focused on development agenda.
"All issues are important. But we have to fix priorities. Now, we are working on the development agenda. As you are aware Ram temple is a sub judice issue. We have to wait for the court verdict. But the two communities may hold talks on the issue and can find a solution," Singh said.
He was replying to a question on whether the Modi government has put the Ram temple and Article 370 (special status to Jammu and Kashmir) on the back burner.
The home minister, however, made it clear that currently no discussions were going on between the Hindus and Muslims to
resolve the decades-old dispute.
"No talks as of now. If there is a middle path, nothing like that. But the matter is sub judice now," he said.
When asked about BJP President Amit Shah's statement that the NDA government did not have the majority to act on issues like Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister downplayed it saying "abhi abhi to sarkar bani hai (government has been just formed in the state)."
Role of RSS in government functioning
Replying to another question on the role of the RSS in government, Singh avoided a direct reply but said he himself is an RSS 'swayamsevak' and believes in the organisation's ideology.
"I am an RSS swayamsevak. I believe in RSS ideology as it promotes an India where all 72 sects of Islam exist. RSS promotes an Indian culture due to which a 2,000 year old church exists in Kerala.
"RSS promotes Indian culture by virtue of which Parsis from Iran are given utmost respect here. RSS also promotes an Indian culture where Jews are respected," he said.
The home minister said that during the last one year of the government, good governance and development had finally staged a come back after 10 years.
"Is sarkar mein susashan aur vikas ki ghar wapsi hui hai (during last one year, good governance and development have staged a comeback)," he said.