Stir in MC House over illegal immigrants

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House was embroiled in chaos on Thursday as Opposition councillors staged a heated protest, accusing the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of sheltering Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants in the Capital.

The session, which was scheduled to begin at 2 pm, was delayed by over an hour as Mayor Mahesh Khichi failed to arrive, intensifying the protests.

By 3 pm, BJP and Congress councillors stormed into the well of the House, climbed atop benches and raised placards with slogans accusing the AAP of supporting illegal immigrants. Some of the placards read, “Illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshi immigrants are AAP’s friends” and “Liar Kejriwal, shame on you”. The Opposition councillors also raised slogans such as “Mayor sahab time pe aao” and “Nahi chalega, aise house nahi chalega”, demanding the immediate presence of the Mayor and an apology before the House could proceed.

As tensions rose, the Opposition councillors demanded that the Mayor address the delay and explain the government’s position on the alleged sheltering of illegal immigrants. BJP and Congress leaders have long accused AAP of including Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants in voter lists for political leverage.

Despite the disruption, the Mayor proceeded with the meeting and passed several items presented to the table, including proposals unrelated to the ongoing protests.