The powerful have to have a necessary quality, restraint. But in the Delhi drama, most lacking aspects are restraint and decency in governance.

The tussle between Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung over the appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary of the national capital has resulted in the display of blatant power.

And the victims are the officials and conduct of government business.  The war has affected the officials ability to work and that they were being forced to choose sides between the state government -- with the prospect of facing action no matter which side they pick.

Locking of official chambers to keep the officials out of their working place is most blatant misuse of power and the person responsible should be punished for obstructing the work of a government servant.

The issue is with the president of India now and Kejriwal is meeting Pranab Mukherjee at 6 pm on Tuesday.

The chief minister is likely to discuss the role and jurisdiction of the office of lt governor’s office and all “unilateral decision” taken by Jung. The LG is also empowered to seek the president’s reference for immediate action to resolve the conflict of interest.

The Delhi government has also directed all its employees not to follow any direction coming from LG’s office without its nod.

To get back at Jung, Kejriwal had removed principal secretary (services) Anindo Majumdar, who had issued her appointment letter of Gamlin on LG’s order. Hitting back, Jung revoked the Anindo’s suspension order and reinstated him.

Following this, the AAP government on Monday locked the senior official out of his office and replaced him with the chief minister’s Secretary Rajendra Kumar. Jung declared the appointment “null and void” arguing that he had not approved it. Another bureaucrat, special secretary (services) Ashutosh Kumar, also found his office locked.

The bitter face-off took a ugly turn on Monday night with the AAP government directing all its officials to apprise the Chief Minister or ministers concerned about any oral or written direction from the Lieutenant Governor's office before following them.   

Whatever be the transaction of business rule (TBR) under which the Kejriwal government is mounting its attack, the basic courtesy is missing in the whole drama.