Govt decries 'politics' by DCW chief

NEW DELHI: Tensions between Barkha Singh and the AAP government escalated on Saturday with law minister Somnath Bharti suggesting that the DCW chief should resign. But Barkha Singh is not budging and is set to approach lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung.
An Aam Aadmi Party statement said the Delhi Commission for Women chief had a political agenda and an organization like this should be headed by an apolitical person."Only then can there be an impartial probe," AAP said. But for Barkha, leaving the post is out of the question. "Why should I resign? I am holding a constitutional post here. Bharti should resign. He and his lawyers have misbehaved with me. I have already faxed my letter to the LG and waiting for his appointment so that we can explain the matter to him," said Barkha Singh.
National Commission for Women chairwoman Mamta Sharma was of the same view. "Why should the DCW chairperson resign? It's a constitutional post and not a political one. It's his mistake. He has been blaming and harassing others. I will speak to Barkha Singh."
However, the Delhi government blames Barkha for politicizing the matter. It is learnt that the provisions of the DCW Act are being studied for a change of guard at the commission where Singh has had a long tenure. She still has about a year and a half left. It is another matter that DCW has failed to do any path-breaking work and refine the government policies for women's safety.
On Saturday evening, AAP issued a press release saying: "DCW appears to be clearly working on a political agenda under its current chairperson. Her public statements make it clear that she is speaking the language of her political masters, which is not in keeping with the dignified post she holds. AAP takes strong exception to her utterances and demands that the Delhi government look into the state of affairs of the commission."
AAP condemned the attempts to browbeat the lawyers representing Bharti. "Bharti through his lawyers wanted to inform the DCW that he will appear before the commission at a later date. This was done despite the fact the summons by DCW were sent to him on wrong addresses," it added.