NEW DELHI: Even as the mayors of the BJP-run corporations continue their dharna for “pending dues”, AAP has planned a counter-protest with its MLAs and councillors “visiting” the residences of Union home minister Amit Shah and lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Sunday to demand a CBI inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of Rs 2,500 crore by North Delhi Municipal Corporation.
They have decided not to leave the sites until an inquiry is ordered. Raghav Chadha and three other MLAs will protest outside Shah’s residence while Atishi, also an MLA, with three other functionaries will station themselves outside the LG’s house. Both Chadha and Atishi have written to Delhi Police seeking permission for carrying out the peaceful protests.
“The BJP-run north corporation constantly claims that they do not have money and are incapable of paying salaries to doctors, nurses, sanitation workers and other staff, but they can waive off Rs 2,500 crore that is payable by the south corporation,” Atishi said in a press conference.
While the accounts of South Delhi Municipal Corporation for the last many years stated that Rs 2,500 crore was the payable rent for its office at Civic Centre, “in this year’s budget, the rent payable is shown as 0,” Atishi claimed. “Where did Rs 2,500 crore go? Where has this money been appropriated?” she asked, adding that Delhi government has ordered an inquiry into this loss to the public exchequer. She also sought stringent action against those responsible for the alleged misappropriation.
“AAP councillors and MLAs will visit the LG House at 11am on Sunday to demand a CBI inquiry. We will also visit Amit Shah’s residence... Our MLAs and councillors will protest in front of the LG’s and HM’s residences” until they order a CBI inquiry, Atishi said.
“The way Delhi Police has allowed the BJP councillors to sit outside the chief minister’s residence, I am sure they will allow us to sit outside the LG’s and home minister’s residences, too, providing us full protection,” she added.
A group of BJP councillors led by the three mayors are protesting outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence for the past six days for payment of Rs 13,000 crore, which, they claim, is Delhi government’s dues to the civic bodies. The mayors have decided not to move from the site until their demands are met.
“Everyone knows that the protest is baseless. Delhi government does not owe anything to the corporations,” the Kalkaji MLA claimed.