Opposition protests disrupt MCD House meeting over Delhi building collapses and fires
On Thursday, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House of Councillors meeting descended into chaos as opposition members protested against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over civic accountability following recent deadly incidents in Saidulajab and Hauz Rani.
The proceedings began with councillors observing condolences for those killed in the Saidulajab house collapse on May 30 and a fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hauz Rani on June 3.
However, tensions escalated when senior officials presented an “accident report” stating that no accidents had occurred on MCD property over the past month. Opposition councillors strongly objected, arguing that the corporation could not distance itself from public safety and civic accountability simply because the incidents did not occur on municipal-owned land.
Mukesh Goyal, leader of the Indraprastha Vikas Party, criticised the report, stating that the absence of accidents on MCD-owned land did not absolve the civic body of its enforcement and public safety responsibilities.
The dispute triggered noisy protests, with opposition councillors gathering in front of the mayor’s dais and raising slogans. The disruption forced Mayor Pravesh Wahi to adjourn the proceedings for five minutes.
After the meeting resumed, opposition members renewed their demands for discussions on building collapses, fire safety, and the city's preparedness for the monsoon. Ankush Narang, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader of the opposition in the corporation, accused the BJP of evading accountability on waterlogging and the safety incidents.
The focus of the meeting later shifted to drain desilting. Goyal staged a walkout after alleging he was denied the opportunity to speak on the issue despite submitting a short-notice question.
Defending the administration, BJP councillor Ram Kishore Sharma accused the previous AAP government of weakening Delhi's administrative systems. BJP councillor Yogita Singh argued that a previous lack of funds had hampered the corporation's functioning, but funds from the BJP-led Centre had enabled recent monsoon preparations.
Mayor Wahi concluded by stating that councillors from all parties were given adequate opportunities to speak, adding that negligence regarding waterlogging would be dealt with strictly.
