The Delhi BJP on Wednesday came out with all guns blazing and lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing it of playing a “political gimmick” and not taking up development issues in the national Capital.
Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay launched a scathing attack on the AAP and said that the Development Committees constituted for 11 districts during Arvind Kejriwal’s 49-day Government in Delhi have all gone in vain while the AAP legislators continue to enjoy Government facilities despite the party announcing to forego any such privileges. Upping the ante against Congress, Upadhayay reeled out a list of Congress leaders who continue to hold their post in various boards and commissions and demanded that they be dismissed without any further delay. It may be recalled that The Pioneer had published a story on September 3 titled Ministry of Home Affairs seeking details of political and non-political appointees during Sheila Diskhit Government.
“They (AAP) are trying to teach us the lesson of morality, but they should first look inside. Nine AAP legislators are presently holding the posts of chairpersons of District Development Committees and enjoying the facilities of Government offices, vehicles, telephone and staff... Is it their moralityIJ” asked Upadhyay. BJP claimed that all AAP candidates had filed an affidavit at the time of Delhi elections pledging that they would not use Government cars and other facilities available to an MlA but they were acting against their avowed lines.
It may be noted that the then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had issued an order on February 4 this year wherein he had appointed 11 MlAs as chairpersons for District Development Committees. These include MlA from Burari Sanjeev Jha who was given Central district, Kondli MlA Manoj Kumar was assigned East district, Surender Singh (MlA Delhi Cantt) for New Delhi district, Rohini MlA Rajesh Garg for North West District, Model Town MlA Akhilesh Tripathi for North district, MlA Tilak Nagar Jarnail Singh for West district and so on.
However, some AAP MlAs are now enjoying all the perks of office, BJP alleged. “Kejriwal blames the lieutenant Governor for the slow pace of development in Delhi. But it is the District Development Committees, where AAP MlAs hold crucial posts, which take decisions about such works. Delhiites are suffering because AAP MlAs are enjoying the facilities connected with the post of chairman but not paying attention to development works,” claimed Upadhyay.
The Delhi BJP chief also leveled similar charges against Congress leaders, saying they, too, were holding various posts on important committees of Delhi Government some of the chairpersons of which also enjoy housing accommodation. “All these committees are directly connected with the welfare of the public such as Delhi Tourism Development Corporation (DTDC), Delhi Minority Commission, Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Delhi Commission for Women, Delhi Commission for Child, SC/ST Committee, OBC Commission, Waqf Board, Tirth Yatra Vikas Committee, besides Khoya Mawa Committee,” he further added.
Meanwhile, reiterating BJP’s stand on Government formation in Delhi, Upadhyay said if Delhi lG Najeeb Jung were to invite the party, it would explore all options. “If the l-G invites us to form the Government, we will then explore all options. BJP is not going to form Government via the back door, instead AAP and Congress are adopting such tactics,” he maintained.