Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal resigns

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal submitted his resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, turning out to be a major move in the national capital. Baijal and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were in a continuous conflict on a handful of governance matters, The Indian Express reported.

"Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal resigned citing personal reasons. He (Baijal) has submitted his resignation to the President," PTI quoted a senior official. Sources informed that he cited "personal reasons" for his resignation.

Baijal, as the Lieutenant Governor, was in the middle of the power tussle between the Delhi UT government, led by Kejriwal and the BJP at the Centre over their powers in the national capital. However, a landmark judgement by Supreme Court in 2018 described their respective powers in the capital. The apex court ruled that the Lieutenant Governor does not have independent decision-making powers, and the real power must lie with the elected government, NDTV reported.

Baijal took the office of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor in December 2016. He was DDA vice-chairperson earlier. He had served as the head of public sector companies, including Prasar Bharati and Indian Airlines. He donned the role of secretary of Urban Development and retired there in 2006.

It was under his leadership that the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission was implemented to improve infrastructure and basic services in urban areas.

He was in service as a member of the Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal, and Renewable Energy, which was chaired by for Minister of Railways, SP Prabhu.