Jung approves Kejriwal's choice for Delhi women's panel chief

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Monday approved the appointment of Swati Maliwal as chief of Delhi Commission for Women, days after her “unilateral” nomination by the Aam Aadmi Party government was struck down by him, triggering a fresh round of confrontation between the two sides.

Jung gave the consent to appointment of 30-year-old Maliwal and three other members, handpicked by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after the Delhi government sent him a fresh note heeding to his directive to follow the laid down process.

“The file pertaining to appointment of Maliwal and other members of the DERC has been cleared,” sources said.

On Friday, Jung had returned the file pertaining to Maliwal’s appointment but said he would have no hesitation in clearing it if proper process is followed.

The Lt Governor had struck down her appointment on last Tuesday, a day after she took charge of the commission, asserting that ‘government’ in Delhi meant the LG and his consent for any such appointment was necessary.

The LG’s move had triggered yet another bout of confrontation with Kejriwal accusing him of working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister had also alleged that Jung had ordered locking of the DCW’s office.

“The LG says he is the government of Delhi. How can it be? How can anyone call himself the government? This will result in dictatorship in Delhi. Nothing can be more laughable than this. India is a democracy. Delhi has an elected government,” Kejriwal had said in a letter to the LG.

Later, heeding to LG’s demand, the AAP government had sent the file to him for clearance but Jung returned it saying it was not properly processed. The file was again sent Jung, who then approved Maliwal’s appointment.

On appointment of Maliwal, Jung had said he was sure Kejriwal has done due diligence in selecting her and the other members of the panel and that he would have no hesitation in confirming their appointment.

Maliwal is the wife of Aam Aadmi Party leader Navin Jaihind and has been an advisor to Kejriwal on public grievances besides handling his Janata Samwad. She has been associated with the AAP chief since India Against Corruption days.