Amid tussle with the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that several States in the country are being harassed by Centre-appointed Governors and Lieutenant Governors, who have been consistently obstructing the elected Government’s work. He even wondered if a “dark shadow” was being cast over democracy.

 “On the 74th Republic day, we need to ponder over how to save democracy from these Laat Sahibs (Governors/LGs),” Kejriwal said at a Republic Day function  organised by the Delhi Government at Chhatrsaal Stadium.

The Chief Minister hoisted the Indian flag and also felicitated Delhi Prisons department officers Rajesh Kumar and Naresh Kumar with Presidential Correctional medals. The music bands of Delhi government schools were a highlight of the

function.

 The AAP supremo also referred to the “conflicts” between the Centre and the judiciary, State Governments and farmers and traders etc, and called for an end to such fights so that India could become the “number one” country in the world.

 “These days, they are fighting with the judiciary. What is the need to fight with judges? They are also fighting with the State Governments, students, farmers and traders. If we work together and learn from each other, then nothing can stop India from becoming number one country in the world,” Kejriwal said.

 Remembering sacrifices of the freedom fighters, Kejriwal said: “State Governments are being harassed these days. It was not for this that our freedom fighters made sacrifices. Is there a dark shadow looming over democracy in the country?” He alleged that Delhi has passed many legislations, but the LG is not ready to sign them.

 “Can one man stop the verdict of the public? You cannot let one man hold the democracy hostage with a leash in his hand,” Kejriwal said and called the conduct a threat to democracy.

 “We have witnessed a peculiar situation over the last few years. An elected State Government wanted to call the session of their Legislative Assembly but the Governor refused to sign the file. Some States Governments appointed Vice-Chancellors but Governors of the respective States rejected them,” he said.

 Can an unelected Governor have so much power as to question an elected government meeting its elected representatives, he asked. “This is not democracy.”

 “We have witnessed so many similar instances in the recent past. Is this the idea of India we want to propagate? Is this what our freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for? As we move into the 74th year of being a republic, the whole nation needs to ponder over it,” said the AAP convener.