AAP-LG fight escalates on shop sealing in Delhi

The ruling AAP and the BJP, controlling the municipal corporations, have been at loggerheads over the ongoing sealing drive with both parties indulging in blame-game over the issue. The AAP MLAs on Monday alleged that they kept waiting at Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal's doorstep to discuss the issue, but he left from the other gate to attend the Beating Retreat without even giving them an audience.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with all other party MLAs, BJP MPs and councillors, will, however, be reaching the LG House on Tuesday to discuss the matter.

AAP MLA and spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said that party MLAs had requested a meeting with the LG on the matter, but they were told to send their suggestions to the city government's Urban Development department.

However, the LG in response to Bharadwaj's letter stated, "We have held a number of meetings with the stakeholders. It is a serious matter, concerning the livelihoods of lakhs of people as well as the planned development of the city. Constructive suggestions are required to deal with the same."

Bharadwaj further said that since DDA comes directly under the LG, the sealing drive can be immediately halted by amending the Master Plan 2021 to accommodate the increased Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and other changes.

"This does not require anything from the Urban Development department. This has to be done by the DDA alone, which comes under the BJP-ruled Centre."