New Delhi, Jul 21, 2022, By Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Jul 21: Delhi Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has dumped Delhi government's proposal for the chief minister's Singapore visit, but a defiant Arvind Kejriwal plans "go ahead", setting the stage for a fresh Centre-State row.

Saxena rejected the Delhi government file relating to Kejriwal's Singapore visit to attend a summit on August 1, saying his attendance at the mayors' conference will set a "bad precedent".

But, the AAP supremo, blocked for the second time from attending a summit abroad, has declared that he would "go ahead" with the visit. 

In his response to Lieutenant Governor, the chief minister mentioned that if one goes by his logic, then "the Prime Minister will also not be able to go anywhere".

Kejriwal was invited for the "World Cities Summit" back in June by Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong. He is expected to address the meet on August 1.

But with the clearance getting delayed, he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, saying it was "against the interest of the country to stop a Chief Minister from visiting such an important stage".

Kejriwal had sought Modi's permission to be allowed to participate in the summit, saying he will present 'Delhi Model of Governance' there, bringing glory to the country.

"I humbly beg to differ with the advice of the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor," Kejriwal wrote, as Saxena turned down the Delhi government request for clearance

In 2019 too, the Centre had withheld permission to Kejriwal for attending the 

Copenhagen C40 World Mayors' Summit in Denmark, saying it is unbecoming for a Chief Minister to participate in a meet meant for mayors.

The CM then had to finally address the meet online.

Dubbing the development as "mean politics", Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Delhi government will now directly approach the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to seek political clearance for Kejriwal's Singapore visit.

Officials said chief minister's foreign visit requires administrative nod of LG as well as approval by the MEA.