BJP, AAP trade barbs over owner’s political affiliation
NEWDELHI: The assumed political affiliation of the owner of the factory building where a fire broke out Sunday morning, claiming 43 lives, has become a new flashpoint between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
While Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari alleged that the building owner Rehan, who is now under arrest, was an AAP worker, the charge was denied by the AAP.
“Both the MLA and the councillor of Anaj Mandi area belong to the Aam Aadmi Party. Factory owner Rehan has been identified as an AAP worker. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal should explain why the main accused has the patronage of the MLA,” Tiwari said.
Responding to the allegations, AAP spokesperson Raghav Chadha said the building owner had nothing to do with the party and claimed that he belonged to the BJP. “People from the area are giving information that Rehan is allegedly the parliamentary representative (Sansad Pratinidhi) of MP Manoj Tiwari. Would request Mr. Tiwari to please explain and clarify his relationship with him (sic)?” Chadha tweeted.
Reacting to Chadha’s claims, co-incharge, Delhi BJP media cell, Neelkant Bakshi said that the AAP’S claims were a lie. “Tiwari is not even an MP from the area. They are making false claims,” he said.
AAP’S chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that the north civic body, which is ruled by the BJP, was responsible for the incident as the party failed to check illegally running factories. He said the responsibilities of other agencies, including the fire department, come into play only when licences and permissions are sought.
The fire department has said the building did not have a fire no-objection certificate.
The BJP, meanwhile, has constituted its own fact finding committee to “expose” the government and demanded a compensation of ₹1 crore for each family who lost a member in the fire.