‘AAP tax promise is violation of poll code’

The BJP on Monday claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party was “fooling” the people by promising abolition of property tax, if they win MCD elections.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said, “Kejriwal is a master of bluff but he should know that the people of Delhi understand his lies and so he cannot mislead them like he did in 2013-15.”

He said the announcement by Kejriwal was a violation of the model code of conduct and urged the state election commissioner to take suo motu cognizance.

“Kejriwal has misused his government residence and facilities to make announcements which were related to the policy matters of the municipal corporations. We want the SEC to take suo motu cognizance to restrain the CM from such misuse in the future. Such announcements coming from a CM are indirect violation of the model code of conduct too,” he said.

Tiwari also released two letters purportedly written by the Delhi government to the three municipal commissioners.

The BJP leader claimed that, in the letters, the AAP government had asked the corporations to increase property taxes as per Municipal Valuation Committee (MVC) report and to extend the ambit of properties covered for property tax realisation.

“In one letter dated February 4, 2016, the Kejriwal government had directed MCDs not to provide any concession or rebate in taxes, fee or charges levied by them. The government had also directed to increase revenue through improved property tax coverage, bring properties under property tax net,” the Delhi BJP president said.