New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Delhi over the anti-encroachment drive conducted by NDMC in riot-hit Jahangirpuri, ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has levelled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming that the councillors of the saffron party are extorting money from Delhittes by threatning them of razing their properties.
AAP has accused BJP of demanding bribe from city residents after their party's chief Adesh Gupta asked the mayors of south and east civic bodies to remove illegal encroachments by using bulldozers.
Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, said that his party has recieved many such complaints from all over the city. "Many such complaints are coming from all over Delhi. People of Delhi will not tolerate this type of blatant extortion and hooliganism," he said in a tweet, asking is that why the MCD elections have been postponed.
Earlier in the day, Kejriwal's deputy Manish Sisodia made similar claims and asked AAP MLAs to firmly stand by the people who are being "intimidated, blackmailed and threatened" by BJP councillors.
"I appeal to all AAP MLAs to stand against this extortion drive being run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Tell people everywhere in your area that the Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are standing with the people," Sisodia said in a letter to his party legislators.
"If such a case comes to the notice of any MLA, help the people, immediately catch the extortionists of the BJP and hand them over to police. Immediately bring such cases to the notice of the government as well," the letter added.
Even AAP's Kalkaji MLA Atishi alleged that BJP councillors are reaching out to the people by threatening that the illegal structures will be demolished if they do not give money. "All illegal constructions and encroachments" came up in Delhi after taking bribe from people, with the saffron party ruling all the three civic bodies for last 15 years.
"They are doing this to fill their pockets as much as possible because this is their last chance. The term of the elected civic bodies will expire by May 18," Atishi added.
AAP's explosive claim came after Delhi BJP chief Gupta wrote to Mayors of south and east corporations, asking them to remove illegal encroachments using bulldozers in their areas as well. Gupta alleged that several anti-social elements had encroached the government land at various locations in south and east Delhi "because they enjoy protection of local MLAs and AAP leaders".