Opposition Protests Over Recent Deadly Fires and Collapses Disrupt Delhi MCD Meeting
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House of Councillors meeting descended into chaos on Thursday as opposition members protested and demanded accountability over recent deadly incidents, including a house collapse in Saidulajab and a fire in Hauz Rani. Opposition councillors disrupted proceedings by gathering in front of the mayor's dais and raising slogans, forcing an adjournment.
The meeting began with members observing condolences for those killed in the Saidulajab house collapse on May 30 and the fire at a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hauz Rani on June 3.
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 to this report, arguing that the corporation could not distance itself from civic accountability simply because the incidents did not occur on municipal land.
Mukesh Goyal, leader of the Indraprastha Vikas Party, criticised the report's stance. He stated that the absence of accidents on MCD-owned land did not absolve the civic body of its responsibility regarding public safety and enforcement.
The resulting protests 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, major fires, and Delhi's preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.
Ankush Narang, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) leader of opposition in the corporation, accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of evading accountability. Narang alleged that BJP councillors chose to avoid answering questions regarding the accidents, waterlogging, or the alleged theft of Ram Mandir donations.
The focus of the meeting later shifted to drain desilting. Goyal staged a walkout after alleging he was denied an 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 during its decade in power. He stated that the BJP-led corporation and the Centre were working to rectify the situation. BJP councillor Yogita Singh added that a lack of funds under the previous dispensation had hampered the corporation's functioning, but recent funds from the Centre enabled monsoon preparations.
Mayor Wahi stated that councillors from all political parties were given adequate opportunities to raise concerns. He added that accountability would be fixed on officials in cases of waterlogging and negligence would be dealt with strictly.
