LG 'alloted' land meant for school to BJP: Manish Sisodia

New Delhi: Opening another front against Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday accused him of alloting land, earmarked for a school, to BJP for the purpose of building its party office and wondered what "forced" the LG to take such a step.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked the LG whether he is only expected to please his "political bosses" in his capacity as the DDA chairman. "This is unacceptable," he said.

In a two-page letter, which was promptly uploaded on social media by Kejriwal, Sisodia repeatedly asked Jung as to what "compelled" him to change the land usage, which, he said, is resorted to only in cases where public interest is involved.

However, Delhi Development Authority, headed by the LG, claimed that the land usage, from a "nursery school" to one for a party office, has not been changed but is in "due process".

"What public interest will be served through this? I have always had this belief that no matter what your stance would be on centre-state relations you will always be with the government on issues of education. But I am surprised by this decision of yours. What were the compulsions that forced you to take this step?" Sisodia asked.

Observing that LG is "owner of land" in Delhi and has the requisite authority to take decision in this regard, Sisodia said the Constitution has not vested him with this power so that "you can allot land earmarked for school to a party which is in power at the Centre...A party that has been given three seats by the people in Delhi."

Sisodia further wrote that the way the matter was wrapped up within few months is "unprecedented" considering DDA has kept pending several requests related to education. "Why is it that there is delay in alloting land for schools whereas land allotment to BJP is done in an expeditious manner?"

"The land where school would be built, students would play, library, lab and classrooms constructed, classes of nursery run, you (Jung) want to build office of BJP and its leaders. I am surprised that as being educationist, how have you taken this decision?" Sisodia asked.

Sisodia urged Jung to revoke the decision and to serve the people of Delhi "under the principles which has been vested upon you under the constituion of India."