AAP, BJP councillors clash in MCD House, mics broken and files thrown, mayor escorted to safety
New Delhi: Microphones were broken and files were thrown as a debate on pollution and development funds triggered chaos in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House. Councillors came close to a physical altercation, and Mayor Pravesh Wahi had to be escorted to safety.
BJP and AAP councillors confronted each other during the discussion on pollution. They shouted at one another and threw water as the dispute escalated.
Videos showed AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair reaching the mayor’s chair and attempting to break a microphone. Demands for development funds became another point of confrontation during the proceedings.
AAP demands funds
Following the Opposition’s demand, Wahi announced that Rs 25 lakh in development funds would be released. He said councillors would receive a total of Rs 2 crore during the current financial year. The announcement failed to satisfy AAP councillors. They demanded that the amount released immediately be increased to Rs 1 crore.
The disagreement over the allocation added to the tension in the House, where the discussion on pollution had already led to a confrontation between BJP and AAP members.
Zubair defends demand
Speaking to the media after the confrontation, Zubair defended the demand for funds. She questioned why councillors faced criticism for seeking money meant for public welfare.
“The mic belongs to the House. Why have you come to fighting? We are asking for funds for the public. Are we doing anything wrong? These funds are meant for the public. Why are we being defamed like this?” she told the media. Her remarks came after videos showed her at the mayor’s chair during the uproar.
Congress and AAP clash
A separate exchange between Congress legislative party leader Nazia Danish and Leader of the Opposition Ankush Narang further intensified the dispute. Danish criticised AAP during her remarks in the House. Narang responded by accusing her of being close to the BJP.
Danish hit back, saying she was not Shagufta Chaudhary, who would join the BJP. Her response heightened tensions between the Congress and AAP councillors. The exchanges added to the disorder as members continued to clash over pollution and the release of development funds.