New Delhi: As a political slugfest broke out over the slum demolition issue, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday hit back at Rahul Gandhi for saying such actions were never carried out under Congress rule. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called him a “child”.
AAP and Trinammol Congress protested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue outside Parliament condemning the demolition by Railways in Shakur Basti area of West Delhi after it was blamed for the death of an infant.
AAP also protested in Parliament over the issue after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejected an adjournment motion moved by it.
Taking a swipe at Gandhi, who said that both Kejriwal government and Modi government were responsible for the situation after visiting the site, AAP leader Ashutosh said his statements reflect the reasons behind Congress’ defeat in Lok Sabha polls, in which it was reduced to 44 seats.
“Now I know y Congress is reduced to 44?(sic)
“This is [how] Rahul used to talk about Kalavati,” AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted.
Lashing out at the Congress vice-president, Kejriwal tweeted: “Rahul Gandhi is still a child. His party probably did not tell him that Railway comes under the central government, and not under the Government of Delhi.”
Kejriwal’s remark came as Gandhi reportedly questioned why AAP MPs were protesting outside Parliament when it is their government that rules Delhi.
AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the Congress leader is suffering from “memory-loss” or his attacks on Kejriwal government are because of a possible “deal” struck between the Modi government and him in the National Herald case.
“Where were Congress activists when Home Minister Satyendar Jain and AAP Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey were at the site trying to halt the demolitions. Rahul Gandhi is suffering from memory loss. These jhuggis [makeshift homes] were demolished earlier as well and the Congress was in power both at the Centre and the state.
“Perhaps, a deal must been struck between Modi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, which is why he is targeting the Kejriwal government,” Singh tweeted.
AAP sources said the matter will be raised in the Rajya Sabha by Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Janata Dal (United) (JD (U)).
A fresh confrontation raged between the Arvind Kejriwal Government and Centre over the death of the infant girl at the slum cluster in West Delhi that was demolished by Railways.
The AAP government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the demolition drive and death of the six-month-old girl although railways has said that the incident had “nothing to do with removal of encroachments”.
Kejriwal has also sought a meeting with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu over the issue.
On Sunday, Kejriwal met Railway officials at his residence over the issue, but was unhappy with their response.
“Railway officials failed to give satisfactory response as to why demolition drive was carried out when asked whether it was an emergency project,” sources said.
They also said that when the chief minister asked them about why proper rehabilitation measures were not taken before demolition, Railway officials said that they would inform their Board and Ministry about it.
“The Chief Minister was not happy with the Railway officials’ response and he would take up the matter with Railway Minister,” the sources said.
Terming the incident as inhuman, Delhi Minister Satyendra Jain alleged the demolition was carried out “to teach a lesson” to people who had voted for Kejriwal.
“Without making any alternative arrangements for them, their houses were demolished. The demolition was carried out to teach a lesson to these people who had voted for Arvind Kejriwal.
“In the process an infant girl has died and the post-mortem has revealed that she had received severe head injury and that her ribs had broken,” said Jain.
