Chaos in MCD Budget meeting
AAP councillors disrupt LoP Raja Iqbal Singh’s speech
The AAP Councillors raise slogans and create chaos during a special meeting to discuss on the Revised Budget Estimates for 2024-25 and the Budget Estimates for 2025-26 at the Civic Centre in New Delhi on Monday. TRIBUNRE PHOTO: MANAS RANJAN BHUI
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A special Budget meeting of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was marred by chaos on Monday as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors disrupted Leader of Opposition (LoP) Raja Iqbal Singh’s speech.
The uproar began over the suspension of AAP MLAs from the Delhi Assembly and the alleged removal of Dr BR Ambedkar’s portrait from the Chief Minister’s Office, with AAP councillors storming into the well of the House and raising "Jai Bhim" slogans.
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As Raja Iqbal Singh attempted to present his views on the revised Budget estimates for 2024-25 and the Budget estimates for 2025-26, AAP councillors intensified their protest. They snatched and tore his speech copy, prompting BJP councillors to surround Singh in his defence. Despite the disruption, Singh continued speaking, but as the commotion escalated, Mayor Mahesh Kumar adjourned the session. However, Singh persisted with his speech even after the Mayor’s departure.
Condemning the adjournment, Singh called it undemocratic and accused AAP of obstructing the House to suppress discussions on crucial Budget matters. "The Budget is the backbone of any institution, and AAP’s decision to disrupt the session shows its lack of commitment to governance," he said. He further alleged that AAP’s governance failures over the past three years had brought the corporation to a standstill.
Singh claimed that AAP’s actions in the MCD mirrored its rejection by the people of Delhi in the recent Assembly elections. "Despite holding the Mayor’s position, AAP is resorting to negative politics instead of addressing the concerns of corporation employees and residents," he remarked.
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He also took a dig at the Leader of the House, accusing him of creating ruckus instead of maintaining order. "The Leader of the House has lost the moral right to continue in that position due to the lack of numbers," Singh asserted, adding that the BJP had the necessary strength to elect its Mayor in April.
Outlining his recommendations, Singh emphasised measures to boost the corporation’s revenue, cut expenses, eliminate corruption and improve governance. He maintained that the BJP, with its growing numbers in the MCD, was poised to take charge of the Corporation’s leadership in the coming months.
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