NEW DELHI: At a time when the Capital is in the grip of severe power crisis that has even affected the supply of water, a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has been convened on Tuesday to discuss the issue of holding marriages and functions in farmhouses and use of residential properties for commercial purpose.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who is also the leader of the House, has convened a meeting of the CLP at the request by Kalkaji MLA Subhash Chopra. However, a section of the party is of the opinion that to convene a meeting to discuss issues that affect the affluent sections of Delhi's population would send a wrong message. It is understood that a number of MLAs are preparing the ground to raise the issue of power crisis, inflated bills, fast running meters and water shortage, matters that are crying for attention despite the CLP having deliberated and taken them up in August this year.

Interestingly, while Ms. Dikshit has convened a meeting to discuss the issue of farmhouses and to find out ways to tackle the situation arising of the court's decision to take cognizance of the commercial use in residential areas, her Government has already filed an affidavit in the court stating the farmhouse policy that the Government wants to be implemented. This policy is contrary to the views being propagated by the Congress leaders in the MCD who have their own axe to grind.

According to observers, another question that arises is what were the standing counsels of the Government doing in both the cases when they were being argued and the court was issuing directions. "It is unfortunate that attempts are being made in connivance with some MLAs to divert attention from the real issues. Both the Delhi Government and the elected representatives are not talking about the poor and the down trodden, but the rich and the famous,'' a senior party leader remarked.

What has further surprised Congressmen is that Congress president Sonia Gandhi's slogan of "Congress Ka Haath Garib Ke Saath'' has taken a beating and the Congress Government in Delhi is busy trying to protect the interests of a handful of rich and influential people who stand affected by the directions of the court. Insiders in the party feel that there could be some merit in pleading the case of those who would stand affected by the Supreme Court order on commercial use of residential areas, but one also cannot ignore the severe problems faced on account of power and water crises in the Capital. "There is hardly any response from the authorities on the poor situation on these two fronts and the Government is being totally insensitive to the needs of the common man,'' a Congress MLA stated.

On the other hand, some party MLAs are of the view that efforts should be made to trace officials, politicians and builders who had connived to misuse residential areas for commercial purpose. A senior MCD official said it is a well known fact that some junior and senior level officials of the Corporation own huge buildings and commercial complexes in such residential areas and they have thrived due to the strong official-builder nexus. The CLP should concentre it energies on such issues and those affecting the people rather than being seen as battling for the elite class.

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