AAP opposes BJP-led corporation over 'illegal construction' in south Delhi

New Delhi: The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) House on Wednesday witnessed an uproar as members of the Opposition AAP staged protests, alleging inaction by the BJP-led corporation in dealing with ‘illegal construction’ in parts of south Delhi.

Incidentally, the proceedings began after the members had observed moments of silence for the late Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh and seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, who was found with his throat slit at a private school in Gurgaon recently.

AAP's leader in the municipal House Ramesh Matiala said his party wanted to raise the issue of ‘illegal construction’ and know the status of the action taken by the SDMC against it.

"We only wanted to know how many illegal buildings have been demolished or sealed, and why no action has been taken against certain illegally-built structures. But the mayor just refused to pay heed to us and did not say anything. After which, we began to protest," Ramesh said.

Leader of the House in South Delhi Municipal Corporation, Shika Rai, rejected the allegation and said, the party (AAP) was "merely trying to get some media attention" and trying to divert people's mind from real issues.

"We observed two minutes of silence for (Marshal of IAF) Arjan Singh and Pradyuman in the beginning of the proceedings.

Later, the AAP members raised the issue of illegal construction rather vaguely and made false allegations against the SDMC and our BJP councillors.

"We asked them to not obstruct the regular proceedings, but soon they started displaying placards and trooped to the Well of the House, shouting slogans like 'stop corruption' in SDMC. The House was adjourned for a while and we reassembled but they again protested," Rai said.

The proceedings were then suspended for the day, she said.

Incidentally, the House on Wednesday passed the proposal to provide a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to needy people, including widows, the destitute, orphaned children and transgenders.

The SDMC had earlier decided to provide monthly pension of Rs 1,000 to destitute, widows, divorcee, kinnar (transgender), and orphaned children till he/she attains the age of 18, and persons suffering from serious illnesses as defined by the Health Department. The proposal was on Wednesday cleared by the House, she said.