Green becomes the colour of politics in Delhi

Congress, BJP bicker over state government’s move to conserve the capital’s parks, gardens and forests

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government's bid to conserve the capital's green cover has kicked up a political storm.

Mayor Arti Mehra of the BJP dubbed chief minister Sheila Dikshit's move to form a Delhi parks and gardens society to oversee maintenance of parks, gardens and forests “unconstitutional and an attempt to encroach on the subjects of a statutory body”, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in this case.

Mehra said, “The preposterous move is politically-motivated, not based on facts. Delhi goes to polls in November and the ruling Congress wants to show that the BJP-ruled MCD is not doing enough to preserve the capital's environment.” 

Dikshit had said on Monday that the 14,000-odd parks under the MCD were not well-maintained and alleged that the civic body was not using funds given to it for environment conservation. “Only 30% of the funds are used, where does the remaining money go?” she said.

Dikshit's fleeting allegations have stung the BJP, which stormed into the civic body only nine months ago. "Our victory has shaken the CM, she knows in a few months, we will unseat her as well," Mehra said.

Brushing aside Dikshit’s allegations, the mayor said: “As per records, we have spent 62% of the funds on greening activities, the remaining will be spent over the next three months. There is no question of underutilisation.”

Mehra also used the opportunity to level charges against the state government. She said ever since the government had taken the reigns of Delhi Jal and Vidyut boards, their performance had declined sharply.

“The CM should review her own achievements and failures before criticising the MCD. I would have appreciated if she had set up a Delhi sewage and water society, as these areas need urgent attention,” Mehra said. “I challenge the CM for an open debate on civic issues, doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani ho jayega.”

A senior official in the chief minister's office clarified, “Work on the parks and gardens society proposal will begin only after deliberations with the MCD. We are in no way encroaching on the rights of the civic body.”

But Mehra refused to buy this. “If the CM had such a proposal in mind, she should have discussed it with the MCD before making a formal announcement. I am convinced her move was meant to mock at the BJP-ruled civic body,” Mehra said. Asked whether she was willing to hold discussions with the CM on the issue, Mehra said, “Since we have come to power in the MCD, all meetings with the CM have been initiated by me. She has never come forward to discuss issues with us. Let her take the initiative this time.”

y_puneet@dnaindia.net