New Delhi: The monsoon session of Delhi Assembly
got off to a stormy start today with opposition BJP coming
down hard on city Government alleging "massive" corruption,
financial bunglings and "huge delays" in all Commonwealth
Games projects, saying the tardy preparation will lead to a
"national embarrassment".
Questioning the city's overall preparation for the
prestigious event, the BJP held Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit
responsible for the "mess" across Delhi and demanded judicial
investigation or a probe by a House Committee into all the
allegations of "corruption and deliberate delays".
"Dikshit other day said guilty will be punished. But as
Chief Minister, she is responsible for the mess. She is guilty
for the tardy preparations. We demand a thorough probe into
the massive corruption and irregularities," Leader of
Opposition V K Malhotra said, initiating a short duration
discussion on the issue.
The first day's proceeding was marred by sloganeering by
BJP members demanding suspension of the Question Hour to
discuss preparation for the Games leading to two adjournments.
Four BJP legislators were also forcefully evicted from
the House for beating stainless steel utensils to draw
attention of the Speaker.
Noting that Central Vigilance Commission has found
serious financial irregularities and corruption in several key
projects, Malhotra said tax payers' money is being wasted by
the government in the name of the Commonwealth Games.
The Government, however, rejected all allegations and
said "no corruption" has taken place in any of the projects
being implemented by the city government.
Dikshit, who did not participate in the discussion, later
said "all these allegations (levelled by BJP) are false." The
BJP legislators staged a walkout after Dikshit did not heed to
their demand of replying to the debate.
"No corruption has taken place in any of the projects
being implemented by Delhi Government. The CVC report was a
routine process. Opposition has been levelling such charges
with an aim to mislead people," PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan
said replying to the discussion.
Referring to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's
opposition to the Games, Malhotra said a negative atmosphere
has gained ground surrounding the event which was not helpful
for holding it successfully.
"Aiyar said he would be happy if Games are not
successful. He said those who support the event are evil. This
is a serious issue," he said.
Senior BJP leader Harshvardhan targeted Dikshit for
reportedly terming those who questioned irregularities in the
preparations as "unpatriotic".
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 00:32