AAP focuses on unauthorised colonies ahead of likely bypolls

NEW DELHI: With bypolls likely after the disqualification of 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAS for holding ‘office for profit’, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday directed all concerned departments to speed up pending civic work in unauthorised colonies.

Sensing the importance of unauthorised colonies in the likely bypolls, the government has started setting up its priorities. In the meeting, Kejriwal directed officials to set a colonywise deadline for such projects and complete them within a year. He also assured budgetary sup- port to the concerned departments for timely completion of work.

The case of disqualification of MLAS is still pending in the Delhi High Court. If court refuses to stay Election Commission’s order to disqualify the legislators, Delhi will go to bypolls in 20 seats sometime this year.

Residents of unauthorised colonies are considered loyal voters of AAP which clinched 67 out of 70 seats in 2015 Delhi assembly elections. In the run up to the polls in 2015, the AAP had promised to regularise unauthorised colonies and conduct development works such as laying sewer lines, providing potable water, and improving condition of roads.

Friday’s meeting was attended by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Public Works Department minister Satyendar Jain, development minister Gopal Rai and chief secretary Anshu Prakash, among officials of irrigation and flood department, and Delhi Jal Board.

Officials privy to the meeting said Kejriwal delivered a “strongly worded” message to officials to treat deadlines as “sacrosanct”. There are around 1,700 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. The works would, however, be carried out in 1,481 colonies as the others fall on land belonging to Archaeological Survey of India and the forest department which need special permission.