Following the CM’s ordering of a probe into the controversial plot of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the Congress has termed the BJP’s move as “political vendetta”. Congress Mumbai President Sanjay Nirupam questioned whether BJP themselves can claim that they are not renting out their offices commercially. While Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant pointed at an ongoing case in the High Court, where the state BJP office has encroached open space of Nehru Garden at Nariman Point.
Ruling out any possibility of violation of land use, Mr Nirupam said everything has been done as per the law. “AJL land use was as per the law. We have been paying property tax for the land. It is true that the construction was delayed and we have paid the penalty for that. But it happens with many institutes. The building is under construction and it will be used for library purpose,” he said.
The Congress leader stated there is nothing wrong with commercial use of land and asked whether BJP themselves could claim they are not renting out various offices commercially. “I have seen BJP’s Bhopal office and a few other offices which they have rented for commercial use. I think it is sometimes necessary to financially sustain,” he said. Mr Nirupam added that many offices of political parties including the Shiv Sena have been commercially rented. Even the Y.B. Chavan Centre has been used commercially, he said.
The leader refuted charges of misuse of land. “The BMC gives two types of approvals, residential and commercial. We have sought the latter for the library, as it is not residential,” he said.
Mr Sawant pointed at an ongoing court case filed by local residents against the state BJP office for encroaching open garden space at Nariman Point. “The BJP has no moral right to question us in the case. In fact, we have been following due process. But the state BJP office has encroached open space of Nehru garden in an area like Nariman Point. The local residents have gone to court against the encroachment. It shows the real face of the BJP. As per BMC rules, corporators are not allowed to contest polls in case of encroachments. We will ensure that the entire BJP is not allowed to contest BMC polls,” said Mr Sawant.
However, RTI activist, Anil Galgali, has demanded that the state government take the AJL land back as it is being misused.
“It is a rule that the government should take the land back if there is no activity for three years. The Congress has not used the land since 1983 and they did not allow the Collector to visit it. The party has got extension for every two years since 2001,” said Mr Galgali.
