"They have betrayed them": AAP's Saurabh Bhardwaj targets BJP government over demolition at Madrasi Camp

New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday visited the Madrasi Camp in Jangpura after a demolition drive was carried out a few days ago here on the orders of the Delhi High Court.

Speaking to reporters, Saurabh Bhardwaj criticised the BJP government over their poll promises in the Delhi assembly elections and accused them of betraying people living in JJ clusters.
He said, "Ever since the BJP government has been formed in Delhi, every day there is news of bulldozer action somewhere or the other... This Madrasi camp is more than 50 years old... In such a situation, these people were displaced. Before the election, the BJP candidate came here and distributed cards to each and every person... and when they (BJP) won, they did not even take a peek here, these people's slums were demolished... This is a big betrayal that the BJP has given to these people... We are with them and their fight will be fought from the streets to the Parliament ..."
Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the demolition drive conducted at Madrasi Camp was an action taken in strict compliance with court directives.
She explained that the High Court had issued multiple directives to remove the slum to enable cleaning of the Barapullah drain, which is critical to preventing flood disasters in Delhi.
Chief Minister Gupta asserted that the residents of the Madrasi camp have been allotted houses and have been moved there.
Speaking to reporters, Gupta stated, "I have clearly said that if the court has ordered something, neither the government nor the administration can do anything about it. The truth about the demolition of Madrasi Camp is that it was set up on the banks of the Barapullah drain. The court had ordered the removal of this slum four times so that machines could be deployed to clean the drain. Otherwise, 2023-like floods would be seen again in Delhi. No one can defy court orders. Residents of that camp have been allotted houses and shifted there."
She also noted that similar court-ordered actions have been undertaken at other sites, including the Railway Colony.
Targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for politicising the issue, CM Gupta questioned who would bear the responsibility in the event of future disasters.
She said, "Action was taken in three places in Delhi, including Railway Colony, a slum set up near the railway tracks. The railways took action. Who would be held accountable if there is a loss of life? Should Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, or Arvind Kejriwal be held accountable? The court knows what it is doing and hence has given orders."
On June 1, a demolition drive was conducted at Madrasi Camp in Jangpura, South East Delhi, following the court orders to clear encroachments in the area along the Barapulla drain.
Authorities cited the obstruction of water flow during the monsoon season as a major reason behind the operation, which sought to resolve persistent flooding issues in the area. (ANI)