Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal opposes 'bulldozer politics', says his MLAs will start protest

NEW DELHI: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Monday that houses or shops of 63 lakh Delhiites would be destroyed if the BJP-led municipal corporations continued their anti-encroachment drive across the capital. Kejriwal said that he has asked all AAP MLAs to "stand with the public" and protest against BJP's "bulldozer politics" even if they are sent to jail.
"Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed how recklessly bulldozers are being run over properties by the BJP-led MCD," Kejriwal said at a digital press briefing on Monday, adding that it is being said the demolition drive will continue for months.
The chief minister said AAP is also opposed to encroachments and unauthorised buildings, but it has to be kept in mind that in the last 75 years, Delhi's development and expansion has not been a planned one, resulting in 80% of it being illegal or under encroachment. "Does that mean more than 80% of Delhi's constructions will be torn down?" he said.
Kejriwal alleged that no timely notices or warnings are being issued to property owners and documents produced by them are not being considered.
Kejriwal claims 63 lakh people will have their homes destroyed in demolition drive
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, slamming BJP's "bulldozer politics", said on Monday, "They (MCD officials) are simply barging into colonies with bulldozers and demolishing homes and shops as they please."
The chief minister alleged that the BJP plans to "tear down" every unauthorised colony, which collectively house 50 lakh people, and demolish slum clusters, which house around 10 lakh poor people. He also claimed that a list of 3 lakh other properties where people have made minor alterations, like extending the balcony or constructing an extra room, has been drawn up for demolition.
"A total of 63 lakh people will have their homes destroyed, which I believe is going to be the biggest demolition drive in the history of independent India," he said. He said that before the elections, the BJP had said residents of unauthorised colonies would be given property rights and proper houses will replace slums. "Now, after the elections, not only have they failed to deliver on their word but they have fallen as far as demolishing innocent people's only homes and uprooting their lives," he said.
The CM said he has held a meeting with the AAP MLAs and told them to stand with the public and not back down even if they are sent to jail. "The BJP's bulldozer politics, its flagrant misuse of power and its incessant 'dadagiri' and hooliganism will not be tolerated any longer," he said. "These actions of the BJP-led MCD are completely unjustified and we staunchly oppose their method and scale of planning to deliver their so-called bulldozer justice," he said.
Kejriwal said that BJP's tenure in the corporations was going to end on May 18 and they don't have the constitutional power to carry out extensive demolitions. "They must face a free and fair election, and whichever party wins and assumes power in the corporation should have the power to take these decisions," he said.
The CM said that just like its work in education, health, electricity and water supply, the AAP government will tackle the issue of unauthorised constructions and encroachments too and completely transform Delhi.