Having got stalled the shifting of Kathputli Colony residents in March citing violation of Model Code of Conduct, BJP MlA from Rajinder Nagar, RP Singh has once again complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding the same. Reacting to a recent letter written by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to resume the shifting process of the puppeteer colony, Singh demanded that the housing authority be restricted from any relocation until election process is over in the country.
Singh alleged that the ‘hasty’ move of the DDA pointed towards a possible connivance to bring electoral gains for the ruling Central Government. “The DDA move if permitted will send out the message in favour of the ruling party/alliance in such States, which are yet to go to polls, and has possible potential of influencing the voters. Also the Model Code of Conduct remains in force till the completion of electoral process and therefore, the DDA should not be permitted of any action. In view of the above, the DDA may be restricted from any move to relocate the slum until the election process completes and the Model Code of Conduct remains in force,” read the letter which Singh wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner. A copy of the same has been sent to l-G Najeeb Jung.
“In March, the Election Commission had issued a showcause notice to DDA officials for violation of Model Code of Conduct in connection with shifting of Kathputli Colony near Shadipur flyover in Rajinder Nagar (New Delhi). I have learnt that in the same matter, the DDA has now approached the Election Commission seeking permission to shift the residents of the area as the poll process has concluded. This should not be allowed at any cost - not until the elections are over and the Code of Conduct lifted,” informed Singh.
Despite protests by residents of Kathputli Colony against their eviction and being shifted to a transit camp at Anand Parbat, the DDA had decided to go ahead for redevelopment of the colony. Spread over 5.22 hectares of land, the developers will be developing 2,800 dwelling units at the existing slums and hand over the same to DDA. In turn, the developer will be given the remaining free space to be used for commercial and residential purposes. According to the proposal, during construction and till the residents are moved back to the colony, the developer will maintain the transit accommodation.