AAP accuses BJP's Vijay Goel of influencing civic body for tax exemption

New Delhi: The AAP on Tuesday accused BJP leader Vijay Goel of using his "post and clout" to get exemption on property tax and other charges on a heritage building he bought in old Delhi and demanded his resignation as Union Sports Minister and from Parliament.

The Aam Aadmi Party also dared the BJP leadership to initiate an investigation into the matter, saying: "Failing to do so will give us a reason to believe that even they are beneficiaries of some kickbacks".

Addressing a a press conference, Delhi AAP convener Dilip Pandey said Goel used his political influence to get exemption on property tax from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation for a heritage building bought by him in Dharampura in Anaar Wali Gali in Old Delhi.

He also brandished a document during the press conference, claiming it was a corporation notification that such a building was to be exempted from paying certain charges such as conversion and parking charges. 

Pandey also slammed the Union minister for allegedly bringing shame to the country due to his gaffes at the Rio Olympics. 

"Owing to the AAP pressure, there was discontent in the local body, which forced Goel to later restructure his argument and say that not just his building but all other 700-750 buildings in the area should be exempted from such charges," Pandey said. 

The AAP leader said the contentious building boasts of licences for running a bar, restaurant and selling handicraft items and jewellery. 

Pandey accused the corporation of corruption and incompetence. "If there was a list of 10 most corrupt bodies in the world, the MCD will top it... even after going through a crunch of Rs 2,700 crore, it is ready to face a loss of 25 crore in exemptions."