Mayor says party’s behaviour ‘against democratic values’

There was ruckus during a meeting of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Wednesday, after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the opposition allegedly disrupted the proceedings demanding that a discussion be held on illegal constructions in the civic body’s jurisdiction.

Terming the behaviour irresponsible, uncalled for and against all democratic values, South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat said the AAP continued to interrupt the House’s discussions despite being provided a reply to a query raised by them.

“We have always made sure that every representative in the House gets a chance to speak and question, irrespective of which party they belong. When the opportunity has been given for all discussions in the Zero Hour, this seemed like a deliberate attempt to waste the House’s time,” Ms. Sehrawat said.

Stating that such behaviour will not be tolerated in the House, she claimed this was an attempt by the AAP councillors to gain “cheap publicity”.

‘Disrespectful’

A statement was issued by the SDMC, where the behaviour of the AAP councillors was called “disrespectful and unruly, tarnishing the image and dignity of the House”.

However, AAP’s Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Matiala said the BJP-ruled SDMC was trying to divert the public’s attention from the nexus of illegal constructions that have mushroomed under their nose.

“For the past 10 years, the BJP is in power in the municipalities and they have done nothing to control illegal constructions that happen without the fear of law. When we raised this question for discussion in the House, we were silenced and the Mayor had no answer,” added Mr. Matiala.

He alleged that the SDMC’s Building Department had no records of the number of buildings under its jurisdiction.