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Chaos erupts at Delhi MCD house during debate, AAP alleges 'personal attack' on councillor
Delhi MCD house adjourned as councillors clash during debate, AAP seeks BJP mayor's apology
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Chaos erupted in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House on Thursday, with councillors clashing ahead of a scheduled debate on air pollution and fund allocation. BJP and AAP councillors engaged in heated exchanges, files were torn, and marshals intervened to escort Mayor Pravesh Wahi to safety.
The House was later adjourned following a confrontation involving members of the AAP and Congress.
The proceedings, which ended abruptly, saw attempts by opposition AAP to snatch microphones from Mayor Wahi and BJP councillors. Officials were also caught in the chaos, with tea and water spilled on them during the scuffle, news agency PTI reported.
Wahi said the matter had been referred to the disciplinary committee of the House and strictest action would be taken against councillors who violated rules.
What triggered the clashes
The ruckus began after AAP councillors demanded the immediate release of development funds for their wards. Mayor Pravesh Wahi announced an allocation of ₹25 lakh, adding that each councillor would receive a total of ₹2 crore during the current financial year.
Leader of the House Jai Bhagwan Yadav said the latest announcement would take the total allocation to ₹75 lakh.
“ ₹50 lakh has already been allocated, and ₹25 lakh will be released now,” he said.
The AAP, however, demanded that the immediate allocation be increased to ₹1 crore, prompting the House to be adjourned for five minutes, according to PTI.
When proceedings resumed, opposition councillors questioned the civic body's efforts to address the city's worsening air pollution. The discussion soon descended into chaos, with councillors exchanging heated words and jostling with one another.
Tensions rose further during a confrontation between Congress leader Nazia Danish and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ankush Narang.
After Danish criticised the AAP, Narang accused her of being close to the BJP. Danish responded with a remark about AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair Chaudhary, who joined the Arvind Kejriwal-led party with her husband in 2024 after leaving the Congress.
Following the exchange, Zubair and other AAP councillors approached the mayor’s chair and allegedly attempted to damage the microphone installed there. Files, papers and beverages kept on the mayor’s table were also thrown into the air, PTI reported.
AAP targets BJP, Congress
Targeting BJP Mayor Pravesh Wahi and Congress leader Nazia Danish, AAP demanded an apology, saying “personal remarks” were made against AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair Chaudhary.
“Targeting AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair Chaudhary, who asked the BJP for funds for the rights and development of the people of her area during the MCD House meeting, is extremely unfortunate,” AAP said in a post on X.
“At the behest of the BJP-ruled MCD, Congress leader Nazia Danish made personal remarks against AAP councillor Shagufta Zubair Chaudhary and used abusive language. Questions are now being raised about the role of the Congress as well.”
(With inputs from PTI)
“Our demand is that in today's House meeting, for using this abusive language, BJP Mayor Prevesh Wahi and Congress leader Nazia Danish apologize in the House. When AAP councillors raise their voice for the rights of the people, the BJP-ruled MCD should respond, not try to suppress the voice.”
