High drama during meeting between BJP leaders, Kejriwal over MCD's sealing drive in Delhi

A high-pitched drama ensued between the leaders of the BJP and the ruling AAP on Tuesday during a meeting over the issue of MCD's sealing drive at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Kejriwal insulted their party members when they went to meet him over the controversial sealing drive. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), on the other hand, alleged that the BJP leaders had come only to insult the Chief Minister.

The sealing drive is being carried out by municipal corporations since last month against properties violating civic norms. 

Watch the video retweeted by Arvind Kejriwal: 

@ArvindKejriwal के घर पर देखिए किस तरीके से बीजेपी सांसद महेश गिरी ने की बदतमीजी यह सलाह करने नहीं राजनीति करने और @AamAadmiParty को ललकारने आए थे pic.twitter.com/X2VgJhTGCp

— Praveen Kumar (@Aap_Praveen) January 30, 2018

Speaking to media, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari said three BJP MPs, three legislators and two Mayors had gone to meet Kejriwal at his residence.

"Today we asked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for a meeting but he created a drama out of it. How can we talk to him if he only wants to politicise the matter? We did not come to create a ruckus. He is not serious about this issue. They insulted us inside," he said. 

Tiwari alleged that the AAP government wanted to "divert" the issue.

"Kejriwal called around 150 people along with media in his house. His focus was not on solving the problems. Everything was on camera. He has insulted us," Tiwari stated.

The BJP reportedly objected to the presence of the media, but Kejriwal argued that "all discussions should happen in the open."

Tiwari said the BJP delegation walked out of the meeting since Kejriwal had converted it into a "public rally".

"We sensed their dangerous mood and felt that he was not interested in finding a solution to the problem," he charged.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta alleged misbehaviour by AAP leaders and workers.

AAP workers also entered into a scuffle with BJP workers, Gupta charged and added that he has filed a police complaint against AAP MLAs and others over the incident.

The AAP rejected the claim and asked the BJP to show "one video of manhandling."

"There was media inside. Show us one video of manhandling. BJP guys ran off as they got afraid. There had come to meet @ArvindKejriwal not to solve sealing issue but with political agenda which failed," AAP leader Ankit Lal tweeted. 

Kejriwal claimed that BJP leaders walked out of the meeting despite his request to sit. 

"I made a sincere request to our BJP friends to sit down, discuss and together find a soln to sealing. However, they just walked out. I am disappointed. Solns can be found only thro discussions in democracy," Kejriwal tweeted. 

He added that he will visit various markets and meet the traders affected by sealing.

Kejriwal today said his government will move the Supreme Court seeking a temporary ban on the sealing drive.

The Chief Minister said he was sad that the BJP did not participate in the meeting and announced that the Delhi government will approach the Supreme Court for a "temporary ban" on the ongoing sealing drive.

(With agencies)