Delhi BJP leaders express concern over party's 'failure' to protest sealing drive

BJP leaders Friday expressed concern over the party's "failure" to come forward in protest against the sealing drive here that has affected a large number of people.

This was highlighted by several party leaders, including Union Minister Vijay Goel, on the first day of the Delhi BJP's executive committee meeting.

The committee also supported Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari's action of breaking the lock of a sealed property in east Delhi's Gokalpur area last Sunday, a member of the committee said.

The leaders, including Goel, highlighted the plight of people hit by sealing and expressed concern that BJP leaders in Delhi unit "failed" to launch an agitation against it, he said.

"Many leaders stated sufferings of people due to the sealing drive with Goel saying that the party was unable to voice their sentiment and launch an agitation on the issue," another BJP leader said.

Goel in the past months has visited many parts of the city hit by the sealing drive to meet the affected people.

Recently, he also joined a protest against sealing in north west Delhi's Tri Nagar area.

The sealing drive has emerged as a major issue in the run up to the approaching Lok Sabha elections, with the Congress and AAP slamming the BJP government at the Centre for not coming out with an ordinance to stop the drive carried out by party ruled municipal corporations under supervision of a Supreme Court mandated monitoring committee.

Some executive members also questioned the role of officials who were responsible for allowing "illegal" constructions in the city.

The meeting started with Tiwari emphasising the need to extend help and support to people who were affected due to the sealing drive.

The municipal corporations are carrying out the drive for violations of Delhi Master Plan and other irregularities under the guidance of the monitoring committee.

The Delhi BJP chief has been issued a contempt notice by the Supreme Court for Gokalpur incident and summoned in the matter on September 25.