BJP Councillors ‘attack’ AAP counterpart at MCD session

The Corporations unanimously criticised Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not fulfilling the promises they made to the people of the city. Meanwhile, the AAP and BJP councillors came to blows following a heated argument over passing a resolution slamming Kejriwal government for “not giving” funds to the three MCDs. The debate turned uglier between the two groups after BJP Councillors objected to AAP members wearing party caps at the session. AAP Councillor Rakesh Kumar, councillor from ward number 82 in Old Delhi, was among those who was roughed up for wearing it. He was looking for a chance to speak at the meeting. Lashing out at the BJP, Kejriwal said on Twitter: “Utterly shameful. BJP is a party of gundas. Rakesh is a dalit. BJP assaulting dalits all over India in a systematic way.” Condemning the attack, Malviya Nagar MLA Somnath Bharti moved a resolution in the special session of Delhi Assembly to discuss the matter. 

“He was not attacked because he was AAP Councillor but because he belonged to Dalit community. BJP has always been anti-Dalit”, said Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba. Mangolpuri legislator Rakhi Bidlan also alleged that Narendra Modi led Central government was “anti-Dalit. The AAP legislators also demanded that police case be registered against those who attacked the Councillor.

Taking on the AAP, the Councillors, on the other hand, alleged that the city government had promised reduction in electricity bills by 50 per cent and to provide free drinking water but within 15 months, the electricity supply was reduced to 50 per cent and supply of drinking water became unreliable and uncertain making people wait impatiently for the supply. It gave false assurances to poor families putting up in JJ Clusters as well. “The party that had scored 51 per cent votes in Assembly elections could score only 28 per cent votes in MCD due to its corruption and anarchy,” said Sanjeev Nayyar, Mayor of the North Corporation.  

After taking over as CM, Kejriwal did not release funds as per recommendations of the Third Finance Commission for the MCDs and is still hesitating to implement the recommendations of the Fourth Finance Commission which is essential as a constitutional liability. 

The MCDs have been sending their proposals for commissioning schools, community centres, village development and development in unauthorised colonies and the government never approved the proposals. The city government is all out to decrease plan fund amount for the MCDs, they said.