Speaker writes to embarrass Dikshit

The correspondence exposes the Government’s dilemma on the appointments to various posts and committees. Dikshit has been sitting over the nomination of leaders for crucial posts, wondering how to deal with the fallout of the exercise — the wrath of the people who fail to land the jobs.

Both letters say that there is a pressing need for appointing MLAs for house committees, as deputy speaker, chief whip and other functionaries in the House from Congress. They, like several MLAs, seek to know why these posts have not been filled up as yet.

The delay already has a number of expectant MLAs turning rebellious. But they have restrained from making public their anger because of the chance that when Dikshit does take a decision, she might have something for them.

Singh’s first letter was sent to Dikshit on January 15, quoting the Delhi Members of Legislative Assembly Bill. It said that the Government should give the names of the Congress MLAs, deputy speaker and chief whip, among others. The letter also wanted to know who would take care of the legislative procedure in the Assembly on behalf of the Congress.

The letter, according to sources, was sent back to Prem Singh with a Post-it note from the Chief Minister’s Office. It said Dikshit, as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party, would take care of the party’s affairs in the Assembly, “till the said appointments are made.” Following this, the Assembly Secretariat has been addressing all the legislative business to Dikshit.

Prem Singh did not stop. He sent another letter this week, almost similar to the previous one. Referring to the coming Budget session of the Assembly, the letter asks the Congress to give “the names of the MLAs who would be on the house committees.”

The 15 house committees are, by procedure, announced by the chief whips of both the ruling party and the Opposition, who goes through the long-winding process of selecting members, based on various political and hierarchical criterion, for the committees in consultation with the Chief Minister.

Among the 15 house committees are influential panels like the public accounts committee, estimates committee, Government undertakings’ committee, assurances committee and business advisory committee.

Though the Chief Minister also holds the portfolio of Legislative Affairs, officials feel that she would not find the time to formulate the committees without help. “It is evident when even with the help of one principal secretary, official on special duty, and personal secretary, the CM is taking a long time to finalise various Government boards and committees,” says a senior bureaucrat.