Supporters of the year-old party paint the compound wall of an Andheri housing society urging people to join.Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which came to power in Delhi after promising to end an era of ageold politics, has succumbed to a much-scorned political tradition: illegally painting slogans on walls.Supporters of the year-old party have defaced the compound wall of an Andheri housing society with messages congratulating Kejriwal on his appointment as the Delhi chief minister and urging people to join AAP.Residents say the party had neither taken permission from the society nor the BMC. They have demanded strict action against those responsible.“We found this (Friday) morning that our entire compound wall had been painted with AAP slogans and messages. It’s not just at our society; they have painted walls at other places too,” said Nilesh Sahu, secretary of Matru Vatsalya Society on VP Road, Andheri (W). “No one took permission from us. What they have done is illegal.”The society wants AAP to pay for repainting of the walls. “AAP claims to be different from other political parties, but this incident has shown that it’s no different, at least when it comes to promoting the party,” Sahu said.Mayank Gandhi, a senior member of AAP’s Mumbai chapter, said that residents’ anger was justified. “We are against any political promotion that causes a nuisance for citizens. Action should be taken against whoever has defaced the walls, even if it’s our supporters,” he said.Mumbai’s roadsides and walls have long suffered from political chamchagiri. Despite public opposition, most parties put up illegal banners and deface walls with slogans.Mirror had run a prolonged campaign against unauthorised hoardings, especially political ones. The efforts prompted the BMC to come out with new guidelines for putting up banners and other political promotional material.Even painting walls with party messages has been made illegal under the new BMC policy. Anyone who installs a hoarding or paints a wall without permission can be prosecuted under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act or the stringent Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act.Under the municipal law, the person can be fined up to Rs 5,000 depending on the severity of the violation. The Prevention of Defacement of Property Act permits penalties up Rs 50,000 and/or a year in jail.BMC officials said that they would whitewash the compound wall of the Andheri society and then initiate action against AAP supporters. “We have received a complaint from the society and we will inspect the site on Saturday,” a senior official said. “We will also register acomplaint with the local police.”Vishwas Shankarwar, assistant municipal commissioner for K-West Ward also promised stern action against those responsible.