Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal here on Monday to discuss a way out of the impasse created by an ongoing dispute between the two States over the ownership of land in Okhla needed by Delhi for expansion of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Mr. Yadav was accompanied by his Cabinet Ministers Shivpal Singh Yadav and Rajendra Choudhary. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also attended the meeting, besides senior officials of both the States.
According to the official sources here, the two sides discussed the ongoing case in the Supreme Court and tried to understand each other’s viewpoint. The Apex court, which had suggested the States reach an amicable settlement, will be apprised of the outcome of the meeting on the next date of hearing.
The dispute concerns 214 bigha situated in South Delhi, next to an Irrigation Department’s facility of the Uttar Pradesh Government in Okhla. Delhi intends to acquire the land for expansion of the prestigious 92-year-old Jamia Millia Islamia.
The Supreme Court, which had earlier allowed acquisition of about 107 bigha, ordered status quo in respect of the disputed land in October last while observing that serious questions regarding the title of the land were involved in the case. The Court directed that no activities be carried out by either party so as to change the nature and character of the land.