Political conspiracy behind sealing drive in Delhi: Meenakshi Lekhi

New Delhi [India] Feb. 13 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday suggested that there is a political conspiracy behind the ongoing sealing drive in parts of national capital Delhi.

Taking part in a question and answer session at the ANI-organised India Infracon 2018 here, Lekhi said, "There is a bigger conspiracy and that is a political conspiracy because Delhi people or traders do not know that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is being represented by the Delhi government in the court and they (Delhi Govt.) are running a deceptive game."

She said nobody in Delhi knows that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is only an implementing agency and "the person who represents Delhi people in the Supreme Court is actually a lawyer appointed by the Delhi government".

Lekhi also alleged that the sealing drive has not happened in a single residential area which has got converted into commercial without a law enforced.

"The duplicity is exposed by the fact that the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee is acting in conflict with law because the first case which was filed in the Supreme Court was to stop commercial activity in residential areas. Why is there no action? Action is happening in the commercial markets which are declared to be commercial markets," Lekhi said, adding that commercial activity in a residential area is a criminal issue.

While highlighting corruption, the BJP leader demanded the registration of cases against guilty officials and politicians.

"Shockingly, four types of basement maps are passed in Defence Colony. Let us clarify whether basements are permitted or not. My problem is with the executive as well as the bureaucracy. Who was running MCD at that point of time? Who were the officers? Who was corporator of that area? Corruption cases should be registered against all of them. Why are they left out? All these activities did not happen without collusion," Lekhi said.

She lamented that while municipal areas meant to do the commercial activity are being penalised, hotels near Delhi airport are let off.

"Seven or eight floor hotels are running next to the airport. Why is no sealing happening there? Why all the Lal Dora areas have been authorized? The municipal areas meant to do the commercial activity are being penalised," the BJP MP said.

The sealing drive started in Delhi from December 22. Till now, over 1,500 commercial establishments have been sealed across the city.

The ongoing sealing drive, which was restricted to local markets, will now be extended to residential areas.

The Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee on Monday directed three civic bodies - South, East and North Delhi - to identify residential buildings where stilt parking is illegally being used for commercial activities. (ANI)