MCD councillors clash over pollution debate

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House was meant to talk about the air residents breathe. By the end of Thursday’s session, it was mostly about who could shout loudest. Councillors from the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) clashed, water and files were thrown, and marshals had to escort Mayor Pravesh Wahi to safety.

The trouble began over development funds. AAP councillors demanded the immediate release of money for their wards. Wahi announced Rs 25 lakh at once and said the government would make a total of Rs 2 crore available to councillors during the current financial year. The opposition was not satisfied. AAP councillors demanded that the immediate allocation be raised to Rs 1 crore. As slogans grew louder, AAP councillors moved towards the mayor’s chair. The proceedings were adjourned for five minutes.

When the House met again, the talk turned to Delhi’s worsening air pollution. Opposition councillors questioned the efforts of the civic body and the Government to tackle the crisis. The exchange soon turned into a confrontation, with BJP and AAP councillors threatening fisticuffs.

AAP councillor Shagufta Chaudhary Zubair reached the mayor’s chair and tried to break the microphone installed there. Leader of Opposition Ankush Narang also allegedly tried to damage a microphone. Water and files flew as the situation escalated. Marshals then stepped in and took the mayor to safety.

Congress members also played a part. Congress leader Nazia Danish and Narang had a sharp exchange. While Danish criticised the AAP in her address, Narang accused her of being close to the BJP. Danish hit back, saying she was not Shagufta Chaudhary, who later joined the BJP. This set off another round of heated exchanges.

The House has referred the matter to its disciplinary committee. It will examine the conduct of the councillors involved and decide on further action. Wahi said that if the committee recommends suspension, the corporation will proceed with it.

In a press release, the Mayor’s Office said Wahi strongly condemned the indiscipline of the AAP councillors. It said it had scheduled a half-hour discussion on air pollution and sanitation, along with key decisions on cleanliness for the festive season. The release said AAP disrupted these proceedings by creating an uproar and damaging public property. It also said the councillors made indecent remarks towards a Congress councillor. Wahi said AAP councillors come to the House only to create a disturbance. He said the party’s leadership spends most of its time outside Delhi and shows no real concern for the city’s problems.

The Mayor said that the House managed to clear for residents despite the disruption. For the festive season, the city will engage 2,500 additional sanitation workers for three months. Wahi said AAP opposed this move. Every councillor will get Rs 25 lakh for development work in their ward. Wahi also said the Government regularised 1,500 sanitation workers a few days ago. This raised their monthly pay from Rs 18,500 to about Rs 50,000. He said such steps for employees do not sit well with AAP councillors.