L-G representing Delhi at NITI-Aayog meeting? Kejriwal gets a fact-check
What's the story
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to express his anger on reports that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal was "replacing" him at an ongoing NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, soon after his tweet, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant clarified Baijal was not even present at the meet.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal's protest at L-G's office entered its sixth day yesterday.
Twitter exhange
'Haven't authorized L-G to go in my place': Kejriwal complains
Earlier today, Kejriwal tweeted: "Under which provision of the Constitution does L-G have powers to replace the Chief Minister? I have not authorized him to go in my place."
To this, Kant replied, "This is totally incorrect. Lt. Governor of Delhi is not present at the Fourth Meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog."
Clearly, Kejriwal had got his facts wrong.
Twitter Post
This is totally incorrect, NITI Aayog CEO tweets
This is totally incorrect. Lt. Governor of Delhi is not present at the Fourth Meeting of the Govening Council of NITI Aayog. https://t.co/1U95F4wz59
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) June 17, 2018
The meeting
At NITI Aayog meet, Prime Minister speaks about 'Team India'
The day-long NITI Aayog meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan is being attended by union ministers, chief ministers, lieutenant governors and senior officials of the Government of India.
At the fourth council meeting, the Prime Minister spoke about 'Team India'.
It will focus on doubling farmers' income and the progress of flagship schemes.
Reports say the impasse in Delhi is also likely to be discussed.
Details
Four chief ministers promise to raise Delhi's status at meeting
Ahead of the Sunday meeting, Mamata Banerjee, HD Kumaraswamy, Pinarayi Vijayan and N Chandrababu Naidu extended their support to Kejriwal. They were denied permission to meet him though.
Banerjee said they would ask Modi to intervene and solve Delhi's problem.
Responding to that, senior BJP leader Vijay Goel said the CMs had come for a NITI Aayog meet, and doing politics 'doesn't suit them.'
What's happening
Meanwhile, #NationStandsWithKejriwal trends on Twitter
Even as the Centre refuses to interfere in Delhi's political turmoil, supporters of Kejriwal trended #NationStandsWithKejriwal on Twitter.
User @imMAK02 tweeted: "Whole nation comes in support of @ArvindKejriwal to save democracy. Don't forget to join 'March for democracy'."
Another user @aartic02 wrote: "If there is a Message in here 4 BJP, there is 1 for Congress too, U r dispensable in a Federal Front."
Twitter Post
BJP's Priti Gandhi says "five-star dharna" tactic to divert failures
Delhi voted for Arvind Kejriwal, not to get statehood. They voted Kejriwal for electricity, drinking water, traffic management, adequate school colleges. He failed on all fronts!! This five star dharna is just to divert attention from his failures!!#NationStandsWithKejriwal pic.twitter.com/TqCYSiWDEz
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) June 17, 2018