NEW DELHI: Faced with strong public anger at the ground level, the ruling Congress leadership here in the Capital is hopeful that the latest notification issued by the Union Urban Development Ministry amending the Master Plan for Delhi-2001 allowing mixed land use and commercial activity will assuage the "hurt feelings" of the people.

The party is also hopeful that the notification on allowing liberal Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and increased coverage to residential plotted property also comes soon so as to send out a clear signal that the Government is concerned about the situation and things are falling in line.

Senior party leaders have also apprised Congress president Sonia Gandhi of the situation arising out of sealing and demolitions and steps being taken by the Government to resolve the issues.

"We have already conveyed to the party high command that if things do not improve the party should not even think of winning the upcoming MCD polls. Everything has gone wrong due to the faulty policies of the previous NDA Government and now we are being blamed for the entire mess," said a senior Delhi Minister.

Elected representatives of the citizens are of the view that had it not been for the presence of the Member of Parliament from New Delhi, Ajay Maken, in the Union Urban Development Ministry, the situation in the Capital could have been worse. These people are also annoyed over the unprecedented powers being given to the Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) fearing that these might be misused to settle personal scores in the long run.

At the same time, the ruling party and the Government are fearful that despite the Ministry giving relief to a large section of the population, the Supreme Court might just spoil the party as the case is scheduled to come up for hearing on Monday.

The party MLAs and Councillors had turned jittery after the recent intensification of the sealing and demolition drive in the Capital expressing fears that it would hurt the prospects of the party in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls scheduled for early next year.

The general feeling among the elected representatives is that the Congress Government in Delhi and the party are seen to be playing an inactive role in the whole situation and people are very agitated over the inability of the authorities to provide them relief.

The Congress councillors have been the most vocal lot and have been canvassing for giving major relief to the violators. Interestingly, a large number of builders who have come under the scanner of the authorities or had built up unauthorised buildings are considered close to the Congress and BJP leaders in the Capital and have been indulging in blatant violations with impunity.

"The image of the Congress Government and the party has taken a beating. As if the price rise, inflation and poor power and water situation was not enough, the party has been rocked by this latest instance of sealing and demolitions in the Capital that has not helped the situation. The people are very angry with the Congress party and this might just spill over during the MCD polls," said a senior party leader.

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