‘Illegal parking’ exposed in Kalkaji

In a shocking revelation, illegal parking collections have been reported within a public park in the Kalkaji constituency of Atishi, the newly appointed Chief Minister.

On Sunday afternoon, Atishi’s representative, Vandana Sinha, allegedly attempted to enforce unauthorised parking. Sinha was allegedly accompanied by local AAP leader Shivani Chauhan and a group of men.

Local residents, along with BJP councillor and party’s Delhi vice-president Yogita Singh, confronted Sinha and her associates about the illegal parking.

BJP councillor claimed that signalling an apparent assertion of authority over the area, Sinha went on to say, “Now our MLA is not just a minister, but the Chief Minister.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Raja Iqbal Singh, condemned the actions of AAP activist during a press conference on Monday.

Raja Iqbal said instead of planting trees to curb pollution, the goons of AAP had started destroying parks for illegal parking collections. He called on the government to curb encroachments upon public spaces, emphasising the need for more trees and parks amid the rising pollution level. He further asked Atishi, “How many parks have you developed over the past five years?”

Yogita claimed that when they attempted to prevent illegal parking, Sinha threatened her with violence. Another BJP leader, Rajpal Singh, also criticised the AAP government for not developing new parking facilities in the last 10 years.

The incident prompted the BJP councillor and residents to alert the police, resulting in the removal of the illegal parking set up. However, Singh reported that numerous saplings in the park were destroyed in the process.Yogita has said that she may raise the issue of the damaged saplings with the National Green Tribunal (NGT).