New Delhi: The office of Delhi’s lieutenant governor was busier than it had ever been between 2015 and 2025. LG after LG clashed with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt, and tensions were dialled all the way up during the tenure of Vinai Kumar Saxena. The past year has seen those tensions dissipate as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to office.With retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Taranjit Singh Sandhu set to take over from Saxena soon, sources said, the LG’s role is also set to change.
“The appointment of a high-profile diplomat to the post of LG might seem a little odd at the outset since it is mostly retired IAS officers that have occupied the office in the past, but the Centre’s vision to project Delhi as a global destination puts the move into context. Delhi has hosted the G20 Summit and the AI Summit in the past two years, which makes Sandhu the perfect candidate,” said a senior govt officer.“He has the bandwidth and experience to engage with foreign delegates on a variety of issues. With more and more international events scheduled in spaces such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, his appointment puts Delhi in an advantageous position,” a senior BJP functionary said.Sandhu has served as Ambassador in Washington DC, Deputy Chief of Mission in the Indian Embassy from July 2013 to Jan 2017, and as First Secretary (Political) from 1997 to 2000. The only other IFS officer to serve as Delhi LG was Romesh Bhandari, who served between 1988 and 1989.“Having lived abroad for several years, Sandhu can bring a global perspective to Delhi’s problems such as air and water pollution. He has experienced different systems up close. As Delhi’s administrator, having a broad vision is crucial,” the BJP functionary added.Delhi, however, is unlike other Union Territories when it comes to its governance structure, which was also the biggest point of contention between the AAP govt and the LG’s Office.Major sections such as land, law and order, policing and services come directly under the control of the LG in Delhi. Having control over services essentially means that the LG controls the bureaucracy, transfers and postings.While a Supreme Court order gave the elected govt the power over services, the decision was overturned – first by way of an Ordinance and then the Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023. The amendments solidified the position that in Delhi, LG is the administrator. All decisions of the elected govt have to go through his office. But with BJP in office in the Centre as well as the city, a standoff with the city government is highly unlikely.Saxena, meanwhile, is headed to Ladakh as lieutenant governor. Officials said this move was impending.“Discussions were underway since April last year and the move does not come as a surprise at all. Saxena is expected to work on urban development and environment issues in Ladakh, just as he did in Delhi,” said a senior bureaucrat.In Delhi, Saxena played a big role in pushing the Delhi Development Authority’s greening efforts, which were also linked closely to Yamuna.“It was his push that helped create green public spaces like parks along the river. He also made sure that encroached land was cleared, a move that also drew sharp criticism,” the officer added.Sources said Sandhu is expected to take oath next week.(Inputs from AlokKN Mishra)
