Is Delhi the next JK? Bhagwant Mann asks Centre

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 18

Aam Aadmi Party Member of Parliament Bhagwant Mann on Thursday attacked the Centre for introducing the National Capital Territory of Delhi Amendment Bill, 2021, in Parliament and asked if plans were afoot to make New Delhi the next Jammu and Kashmir.

“Do you wish to make Delhi the next UT like you did to Jammu and Kashmir? Can’t you sit in the opposition? Will you now rule states where you are not in power by proxy through LGs and governors?” Mann asked the government in the presence of finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the debate on the budget for the UT of J&K today.

Mann also demanded the inclusion of Punjabi language among the official languages of J&K.

The Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Saugata Roy speaking during the debate also backed Aam Aadmi Party and questioned the government for seeking to undermine a duly elected state government through the NCT Amendment Bill.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee meanwhile wrote a letter to Kejriwal on Thursday expressing solidarity with him against the Centre's "surgical strike on federalism."