Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women
Swati Maliwal, who took over as the head of Delhi's women's panel just two days ago, said today that she is yet to receive word from Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung that her appointment has been cancelled.
"I have no official communication so I can't talk about it. I am doing my work. The Delhi Government has appointed me and if Delhi Government takes back the appointment, I will abide by it," the new chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women or DCW said.
Setting up yet another confrontation with Chief Minister Avind Kejriwal, Mr Jung has written to the Delhi government saying Ms Maliwal's appointment is "null and void."
Appointments to this position in Delhi need the Lieutenant Governor's consent.
Ms Maliwal, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party leader Navin Jaihind, was appointed by the Kejriwal government four days ago, and took charge on Monday, but was yet to receive word from the Lieutenant Governor's office approving her appointment.
She replaced Barkha Singh, a member of the Congress, whose term ended this month.
Ms Maliwal also serves as an advisor to Chief Minister Kejriwal on public grievances and handled his
Janta Samwad or interaction with the people. She has been associated with the AAP chief since his days in the India Against Corruption days.
AAP emphatically rejected all charges of rival parties, the BJP and the Congress, of nepotism in the appointment, saying its government had picked the person best suited for the job.
Mr Jung's rejection of Ms Maliwal's appointment is part of a bitter turf battle with Chief Minister Kejriwal. Other disputes are being fought in court.
Delhi does not have the status of a full state and so important functions are controlled by the Centre, represented by Mr Jung.
Mr Kejriwal accuses the BJP-led central government of trying to scuttle his efforts at governing Delhi after his AAP wiped the rival party out in the February Assembly elections.