Aam Aadmi Party opposes tyrannical demolition order by Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta

The Aam Aadmi Party led by its National Executive Member has opposed the demolition order of slums above 14 feet height, as directed by the Municipal Commissioner Shri Ajoy Mehta. AAP has gone ahead and written a letter to the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asking his intervention in reversing this order. (Copy of Letter to CM Fadnavis is attached herewith)

 

The Aam Aadmi Party believes that the Municipal Commissioner is not an elected representative of the people and therefore has no right to take a decision that will affect the lives of almost 50% citizens of this city.

 

In her letter to the CM, Preeti Sharma Menon says, “The decision by Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta to raise all slums above 14 feet in height is one more such act of making slum dwellers realise that their lives are at the mercy of governments and if they wish to have a roof over their heads they will have to pledge their votes first. If anyone is to blame for illegal structures it is MCGM officials who squeeze bribes from the poor and allow them to build illegal homes in desperation. The poor survive by constantly paying ‘hafta’ MCGM and Mumbai Police officers for decades together.  Then come the dreaded demolition drives which often claim a few lives. On 19 October one such drive was attempted in Shivaji Nagar and the ire of the citizens and the wrath of the police could have well resulted in a flagrant law and order situation. The police backed off, but only with the warning that they will come again. Such drives are never carried out for illegal constructions of builders.”

 

Preeti Sharma Menon also added that if the decision is not reversed immediately, then the Aam Aadmi Party shall launch a city wide andolan to stop this demolition.