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A profile

The Times of India, Dec 24, 2016

Najeeb Jung: a journey as LG of Delhi; The Times of India, Dec 24, 2016

Jung is a 1973 batch IAS officer and was vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia university before he was appointed Delhi's LG on July 9, 2013.

Jung's three-and-a-half years in office were domina ted by frequent run-ins with Kejriwal over administrative control of Delhi, with the LG terming several decisions of the AAP government illegal for not following procedures. The LG won a crucial vic tory when the Delhi high court upheld his primacy in administering the capital but the battle is not yet over with the matter before the Supreme Court, which is hearing the appeal filed by the AAP government. The SC recently remarked that while Delhi was indeed a Union Territory , the elected government should have “some powers“.

Jung's resignation closes a chapter, but differences between the Delhi government and the Centre are likely to persist with a sharp political rivalry driving the animosity . Kejriwal has repeatedly claimed he was prevented from functioning by the Centre and the saffron party has responded with the charge that AAP had no interest in governance.

There were no indications of Jung's replacements though political circles were abuzz with speculation over names that ranged from former home secretary Anil Baijal, retired bureaucrat Ashok Pradhan and former IAS officer Vijai Kapoor who was Delhi LG between 1998 and 2004. Official sources said guesswork was premature. The LG had met the PM on Wednesday .

Despite his genteel air, Jung displayed a combative streak and oversaw a tumultuous phase in Delhi's politics, repeatedly clashing with Kejriwal on matters such as appointments to the anti-corruption bureau and of top bureaucrats.

Jung challenged the AAP government's view that as an elected government, it had powers to make certain appointments and issue orders as constitutionally unsound and set up a committee to review some 400 decisions. The committee report has been submitted and will be on the top of his successor's agenda.

Resignation as the LG of Delhi: December 2016

Rajshekhar Jha, Najeeb did a tough job to keep cops, govt apart, Dec 23, 2016: The Times of India

 Around 4.30pm on Dec 21, 2016, the Anti-Corruption Branch, almost out of the blue, announced that it had filed a charge sheet in the case regarding illegal appointments at the Delhi Commission for Women. Though, the investigations against DCW chief Swati Maliwal had been completed a fortnight ago, ACB officials had hinted the charge sheet would be filed earliest only in January . Wednesday's announcement was singular, therefore, though ACB chief M K Meena tried to sound casual about the sudden move.

The reason for the step became clear 24 hours later, when lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung announced his resignation from the post.ACB and Delhi Police, two units at loggerheads with the Aam Aadmi Party government, were being run by Jung. The lieutenant governor relinquishing charge may now mean a headache for the central government, which has to find someone to manage the units efficiently .

Jung had a big hand in revamping ACB at a time when the absence of order there had begun to pose severe problems for the central government. From ousting its then chief, SS Yadav, to bringing in Meena and virtually installing an all-new staff -from the SHO to the investigating officers -Jung made sure the anti-graft agency remained out of the AAP government's grasp.

As Arvind Kejriwal's government contended with the LG for control of ACB, which it considered its most prominent weapon in fighting corruption, Jung ensured that the Centre would not be caught in any awkward situation arising out of investigations.

Contrary to belief that he catalysed ACB into frenetic activity, particularly against the ruling regime, Jung actually restrained its officers, who had till then exhibited a penchant for arresting people before collecting substantial evidence against them.

Sources said that Jung, in the last few months, felt overburdened at having to effect the smooth functioning of Delhi Police. He even had to chair meetings with district police heads and joint commissioners of ranges and instruct them on maintenance of law and order. For instance, with the city on high alert in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Kashmir, Jung held two meetings inside of a week with DCPs and joint CPs, an unprecedented step.These acts had given rise to rumours that Jung had ruffled the feathers of the police commissioner.