New Delhi: In what is likely to escalate the tug of war between Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the former's office on Wednesday declared that, with respect to the national capital, his office is meant to function as the government.

"In respect to the NCT of Delhi the 'Government' means the "Lieutenant Governor of the NCT of Delhi appointed by the President under Article 239 and designated as such under Article 239 AA of the Constitution," said a letter by the Lieutenant Governor's office.

Read: After iftaar hugs, Najeeb Jung cancels another Kejriwal appointment

The face off between the LG and Kejriwal government is likely to intensify further with the development. The letter comes after Jung cancelled the appointment of AAP leader and RTI activist Swati Maliwal as the chief of the DCW earlier in the day.

Maliwal wanted to discuss the Anand Prabat's murder case in with a 19-year-old girl was stabbed to death by two youths.

The 30-year-old has been an advisor to Kejriwal on public grievances and handles his Janta Samwad. She has been associated with the AAP chief since India Against Corruption days. The opposition had criticised Maliwal's selection terming it as "nepotism" while the AAP maintained that her selection was done purely on "merit".