Concern at Mayor's fast threat

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 12.

The BJP unit of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has convened a meeting of its Councillors on Tuesday to discuss the situation created in wake of the Delhi Mayor, Mr. Shanti Desai's announcement to go on an indefinite hunger strike against the Delhi Government.

Mr. Desai had said last week that he would sit on an indefinite fast in front of the office of the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, from November 25, if all the financial dues to the MCD were not released by then.

The meeting convened by the Leader of House in the BJP-ruled MCD, Mr. Mahesh Chandra Sharma, would also chalk out the strategy for its confrontation with the Sheila Dikshit Government. As a prelude, Mr. Sharma today wrote to Lt-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor, seeking an appointment.

``This is very peculiar situation. Delhi's first citizen is going on an indefinite fast and we cannot be expected to keep quiet. We will urge Mr. Kapoor to intervene and direct the Delhi Government to release funds before November 25,'' Mr. Sharma said.

He alleged that the Delhi Government so far has released just Rs. 154 crores in place of Rs. 700 crores. Charging the Delhi Government with coming in the way of development of the Capital, he said: ``The Congress(I) is playing politics at the expense of the basic needs of the people.''

The Standing Committee Chairman, Mr. Prithvi Raj Sawhney, said the meeting would also take a decision on a ``dharna'' against the Delhi Government before Mr. Desai goes on fast. ``The dharna will be against the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, Mr. Mahinder Singh Saathi,'' he said.

Alleging that the Delhi Government has blocked more than Rs. 400 crores of this year's Plan funds and have been obstructing various developmental works like repairs of road and construction of other civic amenities, Mr. Sawhney said: ``We are also planning to meet the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, to bring this issue to his notice and press that funds of the Union Government be given to us directly.''

According to Mr. Sawhney, a number of BJP leaders, including himself and Mr. Sharma, will join Mr. Desai in his fast.

Meanwhile, the BJP members in the Delhi Assembly, today met Mr. Kapoor, and urged him to take steps to ensure that funds were released before November 25. ``This situation has to be avoided, as it would disturb the general atmosphere in the Capital,'' they argued.

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