Though there is some time to go before the 2017 municipal elections, politics in the city is already sensing an impact. The BJP, which rules the three municipal corporations, is using the ongoing financial crisis in the civic bodies to target the Aam Aadmi Party Government in the Capital.
The corporations have accused the Delhi Government of withholding funds, which they say could have been used to pay salaries and pensions. The North and East Delhi corporations have been unable to pay workers for two months now, which has prompted protests and strikes this past week.
“The Delhi Government wants people to think that the corporations are not working, so they can reap political benefits. But what they are doing is illegal and unconstitutional,” said East Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Harsh Malhotra.
At their respective House meetings this past week, the corporations passed resolutions against the government and decided to take the matter to court.
With sanitation workers in East Delhi on strike since June 2, talks between the unions, the BJP leadership in the corporations and the government have been continuing. A senior BJP leader admitted that the unions were being encouraged to hold a demonstration against the State Government.
But, the government seems to have pre-empted the move and has called for a dialogue with municipal employees on Monday at the Ramlila Maidan. Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said on Saturday: “It is indeed shameful that the Delhi Government sent a circular to all municipal commissioners to send their employees for the dialogue, while they shed crocodile tears over the Centre not allowing them a free hand.”
South Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Subhash Arya added that the AAP had “political motives”. “They are looking at the municipal elections which are due in 2017. They think they can convince our workers that they are concerned about salaries and pensions,” said Mr. Arya.
The government and the AAP could not be reached for comment. While the political stalemate continues, there is still some hope for the lakhs of municipal employees as the first instalment of annual grants are due before June 30.
The corporations have accused the Delhi Government of withholding funds, which they say could have been used to pay salaries
