Delhi Illegal Construction Row: AAP Demands Probe, Accountability
A fresh political row has erupted in Delhi over building collapses and illegal construction, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanding a fair probe and accountability. The party's criticism follows the deaths of two people after a lintel and chhajja fell in Harsh Vihar.
The controversy gained further momentum after photographs of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a boat ride were shared online. AAP Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj used the images to question the government's priorities, accusing the Chief Minister of insensitivity toward victims of building accidents.
Bharadwaj said that lives were being lost to collapsing buildings in the capital, yet the Chief Minister had chosen a boat ride over meeting the families of those affected. He noted that another building had collapsed in Delhi on Sunday, claiming lives, and said the Chief Minister had not visited the families of the dead or injured.
He said the boat, which the BJP has described as a cruise, could just as well be called the Titanic, a remark meant to mock the claim. Bharadwaj also drew a parallel with an alleged photo shoot in a fake classroom involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat, saying the episode recalled the photo sessions held after years of BJP rule in the state.
According to the AAP leader, the government was prioritising publicity and photo opportunities over pressing concerns about the safety of citizens. He said the Chief Minister had time for boat rides and photo sessions but none to share the grief of the Harsh Vihar victims.
Bharadwaj raised wider concerns about building safety and administration in Delhi. He claimed that the capital witnessed a major tragedy almost every month. Audit orders are issued after such incidents, he said, but inspections and investigations allegedly lead to increased bribery.
He further alleged that regular bribe collection was taking place from hotels, restaurants, gyms, nursing homes, coaching centres and other commercial establishments. He said this was occurring at levels linked to the MCD, Delhi Police, the fire department and the revenue department.
Bharadwaj claimed that the trading community, traditionally seen as a supporter of the BJP and Jansangh, was also observing alleged corruption and a decline in administrative standards. He accused the government of misusing inspection systems instead of protecting commercial establishments.
Ankush Narang, AAP leader and Leader of Opposition in the MCD, joined the attack on the BJP. He described the deaths of two people in the Harsh Vihar collapse as extremely saddening and linked the incident to illegal construction and administrative negligence.
Narang questioned how long ordinary citizens would continue to pay with their lives for illegal construction and administrative lapses. He asked who would take responsibility for the two deaths and why action against illegal construction was not being taken in time.
He said that enforcing building rules and ensuring the safety of lives and property were the responsibility of the relevant agencies. If a building had been constructed in violation of norms, he said, it must be investigated and it should also be determined whether officials acted in time.
AAP has demanded an impartial investigation into the Harsh Vihar accident, strict action against those responsible, and accountability for those allegedly protecting illegal construction. Party leaders argue that audit orders issued after tragedies are not enough and that illegal construction must be identified and addressed in time. The response of the concerned departments and the BJP government is yet to come.