AAP alleges Ashutosh, other leaders thrashed by police in detention
The AAP has alleged some of its leaders, including Ashutosh and few women members, were thrashed in police detention, after they were picked up while protesting the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi. Delhi Police has denied the charges, saying "some party MLAs" had been detained for defying prohibitory orders during Parliament's Budget session and holding the protest without permission.
AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj details developments
The ongoing sealing drive in Delhi started last month
The sealing drive started in December on the recommendations of an SC-appointed monitoring committee. Establishments were under the scanner for various civic violations, including non-payment of use conversion charges. However, some traders have claimed businesses are being sealed despite having paid all levies. The Confederation of All India Traders held a day-long bandh on January 23 in protest. There's another shutdown on February 2-3.
Political crisis for AAP, BJP as Delhi heads for bypolls
It has become a crisis for the ruling AAP and BJP in Delhi, which recently lost 20 of its MLAs and is headed for bypolls. AAP has accused the three BJP-ruled civic bodies in the capital of harassing traders. Upon pressure from the local BJP unit, the Center is reportedly mulling relief for traders before the scheduled February 2-3 shutdown.
AAP members were trying to gherao Parliament, police says
Today, the AAP announced a march against the sealing drive from Patel Chowk Metro Station to Parliament House. Ashutosh, Richa Pandey, Dilip Pandey and some others were reportedly detained by police at Parliament Street Police Station. DCP BK Singh confirmed the detention, but called allegations of assault "baseless." Some AAP members were trying to gherao the Parliament, he said.
LG refuses to meet AAP MLAs, says "communicate in writing"
Meanwhile, LG Anil Baijal refused to meet party MLAs on the matter, suggesting they should "communicate in writing" instead, or "better still, through the minister (Urban Development), GNCTD as urban development is responsible for processing some of the possible solutions." "All possible solutions are being explored to overcome the crisis," the LG's office said. AAP has sought a stay on the sealing drive.
Delhi's three civic bodies agree to seek six-month stay
Delhi's three municipal corporations have passed a resolution to seek in the SC a six-month stay on the drive. There was heated exchange between AAP and BJP councilors in the House with both blaming each other. Their Congress counterparts attacked both. "You're asking for six months because of the elections. Why didn't you place the proposal earlier?" asked Abhishek Dutt, Congress leader in SDMC.
