In a significant development, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) petition challenging a central government ordinance that aims to take control over the bureaucracy in Delhi. The AAP government, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, filed the request in the Supreme Court last Friday, contesting the central order introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government on May 19.

The ordinance establishes the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA), which deals with the transfer and disciplinary proceedings of Group-A officers in Delhi. The Chief Minister's Office has strongly criticized the NCCSA, accusing bureaucrats of undermining decisions made by the Delhi Chief Minister. They argue that the NCCSA grants unchecked power to bureaucrats, sidelining the elected government's voice within the authority.

However, the Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat has refuted these claims, stating that the Chief Minister's Office's statement does not provide an accurate representation of the NCCSA meeting. The Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat contends that a false narrative is being projected, suggesting that officers are not cooperating and require absolute control. They have announced that the NCCSA will release the draft minutes of the meeting to the press to verify the truth.

The ordinance came into effect following a Supreme Court ruling on May 11, which affirmed that the AAP government had control over bureaucrats in the Delhi administration, with the exception of police, public order, and land matters. Prior to this judgment, the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the central government, held executive control over the transfers and postings of all officers.

The Delhi government's petition argues that the ordinance is an attempt to bypass the Supreme Court's verdict and calls for its annulment. In response to the ordinance, the AAP has also declared a series of protests.

This case has gained considerable attention and is expected to shape the power dynamics between the elected government and the bureaucracy in Delhi. The Supreme Court hearing tomorrow holds significant implications for the future governance of the national capital.