Arvind Kejriwal’s appreciation post for Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday expressed "gratitude on behalf of the 2 crore people of Delhi" towards the Congress for opposing the Delhi Services Bill in Parliament. In three separate letters written to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief appreciated them for defending the "rights of the people of Delhi both inside and outside Parliament."

"I would like to place on record the heartfelt appreciation for championing the rights of the people of Delhi both inside and outside the Parliament. I am certain that your unflinching loyalty towards the principles of our Constitution will be remembered for decades," Kejriwal said.

The AAP chief, in the letter, offered his party's "continued support in the fight against forces that are undermining the Constitution."

In his letter to Manmohan Singh, Kejriwal said his presents in the Parliament outlined his "conviction to preserve India's democracy and federal structure against all odds."

"Your presence by our side, despite the constraints imposed by your age and ailing health, conveyed a story of calm, grace and conviction to preserve India's democracy and federal structure against all odds. Your sheer presence in the Rajya Sabha also sent a loud and clear message to all those forces working to weaken Indian democracy that any such attempts will be met with fierce resistance by political leaders cutting across age and party lines," the letter reads.

He also wrote that Manmohan Singh's "unflinching commitment towards the principles of our Constitution will be remembered for decades, and will deeply inspire the coming generations of parliamentarians."

The Rajya Sabha passed the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Monday. The bill, granting the central government authority over bureaucrats in the national capital, was passed in the Upper House with 131 votes in favour and 102 votes against it.

Congress had issued a three-line Whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in the Rajya Sabha until its adjournment on August 7, when the bill was tabled.

"All members of the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11:00 A.M. onwards until the adjournment of the House on Monday, August 7, 2023, without fail and support the party's stand. This may be treated as the most important,” the Whip issued by Congress read.

The Delhi Services Bill sought to replace the Ordinance promulgated by the Centre on May 19. The ordinance was issued a week after the Supreme Court ruled that the Delhi Government has power over the administration and control of civil servants, except in matters relating to public order, police, and land.

The AAP termed the bill as the most "undemocratic" piece of paper ever tabled in Parliament. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3.