‘Democracy has won’: Arvind Kejriwal welcomes SC ruling on Delhi-Centre power row

Expressing his sincere gratitude to the Supreme Court for doing justice to the people of the capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said "democracy has won" by ruling that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over services.

The Delhi Chief Minister said he wanted to thank Justice DY Chandrachud and the bench for the decision, stressing that more work would be done after the decision and the Kejriwal government would respond better.

He said that many government employees and officials would now be transferred and work would begin to set up Mohalla clinics. "I want to congratulate the people of Delhi. After today's decision, more work will be done and we will provide a responsive government. Many government employees and officials will be transferred. Because of the previous administration, Jal Board payments were stopped and hurdles were made." in setting up Mohalla clinics,” Kejriwal said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener said that the pace of development in Delhi will increase manifold with the Supreme Court verdict. "Heartfelt thanks to the Supreme Court for doing justice to the people of Delhi. With this decision, the pace of development of Delhi will increase manifold. Democracy has won," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

The Chief Minister further said that he will now hold a meeting with his ministers in this regard to outline the future course of action. The AAP also welcomed the decision, saying the apex court verdict was a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a defeat for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre. "The fight led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the people of Delhi has been successful," AAP wrote on its official Twitter account.

The AAP further said that the Delhi government will now have the authority regarding transfer and posting of officers. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had observed that the Delhi government would now exercise control over bureaucrats and said the power over the services would not extend to the police and the country.