Kathputli Colony has emerged as a major poll plank for AAP and BJP in the New Delhi constituency. After AAP’s nominee Ashish Khetan, the BJP candidate Meenakshi Lekhi also took on the Congress rival Ajay Maken.
She has called for an independent investigation revealing the alleged involvement of Maken in the land deal between Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and a private developer.
Under Maken’s tenure as the Union Urban Development Minister, the DDA had granted a contract to the Raheja Developers for redeveloping the colony on a public-private partnership basis.
Citing the audit report, Lekhi wrote on Facebook that despite DDA's internal audit report flagging out undue benefits to the developer, the land was sold “for a pittance”.
“The Congress Party over the past decade has committed untold acts of corruption against the people of this country. Even in this case, 3,000 families have been affected and they will be rendered homeless,” she added.
Earlier the AAP candidate Khetan had also charged DDA with giving “undue benefits” to the developer while awarding the contract. With over 10,000 voters in the area, both the parties are keen on making it a poll issue.
The inhabitants of Kathputli Colony have been protesting against their shifting to a transit camp in Anand Parbat.
BJP party workers said that she is likely visit to the locality soon.
The local community leaders of the area said they had sent an invitation to Lekhi for a public meeting with the residents.
“We will welcome anybody who is willing to take up our cause,” said a local leader Dilip Bhatt.