The Delhi Lieutenant Governor's office has returned 47 files signed by the CMO staff instead of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sources said Saturday. The move is likely to intensify the tussle between the two constitutional authorities in the national capital.

The development came nearly a week after LG VK Saxena wrote to Kejriwal, pointing out that the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) was forwarding files seeking opinions and approvals to the LG Secretariat without his signatures, news agency PTI reported.

On Tuesday, LG had sent a note to Kejriwal flagging that documents without the latter's signature were being sent by the Chief Minister's office for his opinion and approval.

"In the recent months, a significant number of proposals, as a matter of routine, has been submitted by the CMO for the LG's approval or opinion through joint secretary or additional secretary, with the remarks 'Hon'ble CM has seen and approved the proposal' without specifying any grounds of urgency warranting such a communication," the note said, sources informed.

"The current practice of submission of files on a routine basis under the signatures of your (CM) officials needs to be avoided as in the absence of your signature, it is not clear whether the proposal has been seen and approved by you or not," said the note.

The note added that handing or receipt of files by the CMO officials constrains the LG office to communicate the Lieutenant Governor's decision to those officials.

"In the interest of smooth and effective governance, it may be ensured that proposals, which are submitted by your office for my opinion or approval should be duly signed by your good self," the note stated.

The files returned by the LG Secretariat included those related to the education department and the Waqf Board among others, the sources at the LG office said.

The sources claimed that the CMO had continued to send files not signed by the chief minister despite the issue being raised by Saxena.

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