The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sheila, Ram Babu summoned

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Saturday, Sep 23, 2006
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New Delhi

Sheila, Ram Babu summoned

Sujay Mehdudia

Congress leadership reportedly asks them to `speak in one voice'

File photo of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma.

NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership is perturbed over the continued assertions of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit that she does not have any control over the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi police and other such agencies. It has also not taken kindly to her assertions relating to sealing and demolitions in the Capital during recent months.

According to highly placed sources, both the Chief Minister and Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ram Babu Sharma were summoned by party general secretary Ashok Gehlot on Thursday evening and told in no uncertain terms that the party and the Government should speak in one voice and there should be coordination between the two wings.

It is understood that Mr. Gehlot conveyed to Ms. Dikshit "annoyance" of the leadership over her statements in TV channels that she did not have control over the MCD, the Delhi police and land and the multiplicity of agencies had led to such a messy situation. Sources informed that Mr. Gehlot reportedly told the Chief Minister to exercise restraint while pointing a finger at the Central Government by blaming it for all the woes that Delhi faces.

Sources said the Chief Minister was told that the situation was quite serious and the Bharatiya Janata Party should not be allowed to take advantage of the infighting and discord within the Congress or between the Delhi Government and the Centre. Mr. Gehlot reportedly stated that it was also unfortunate on part of the Chief Minister to put the blame on the Union Urban Development Ministry and the various departments under it.

The issue of the Delhi Government taking up the cause of liquor vends instead of the affected people or the traders also came up for discussion where it was felt that a wrong message was being sent by time and again stressing on the issue of rehabilitation of liquor vends instead of the people.

It is learnt that Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy also conveyed his unhappiness to the party leadership over the stand and statements of the Chief Minister and sought restraint in such a charged atmosphere.

On the other hand, during their interaction with Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday evening, a delegation of traders led by Parveen Khandelwal told Mr. Patil that the stand of the Delhi Government during the past few months on demolitions and sealing was not something that would inspire confidence in the administration.

However, they appreciated the efforts being made by Mr. Reddy and his deputy, Ajay Maken, for giving relief to a cross-section of the people who are faced with the threat of sealing and demolitions.

It is understood that during the meeting of the GoM, both Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal and Mr. Maken maintained that the September 7 notification on mixed land use and commercial norms was very much valid and the Government should continue to stick to this stand in the court also.

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