– Abdul Bari Masoud
NEW DELHI: AAP leader and Delhi Assembly’s Leader of Opposition, Atishi, visited Mirdard Marg, a Muslim-majority area in Matia Mahal, to support local traders facing demolition threats. She accused the BJP of misusing its “four-engine” government to attack the poor — first by demolishing homes and now by destroying livelihoods.
Speaking to residents, Atishi condemned BJP’s “bulldozer politics.” She promised AAP would fight this — on the streets, in courts, and in the Assembly. AAP MLA Aaley Mohammad Iqbal joined her and also assured full support to affected shopkeepers.
“The BJP is not just making people homeless. Now it wants to destroy their source of income too,” Atishi said. “These shops are not illegal. They have supported families for generations. The same people who built Delhi are now being crushed by the bulldozers sent by the government they voted for.”
Atishi attacked BJP’s failed promises. She referred to the “Jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan” slogan, calling it a cover for widespread demolitions. She pointed to past incidents in Jangpura’s Madrasi Camp, Chunabhatti JJ Camp in Karol Bagh, and Nangli Dairy, where thousands were displaced.
“In Jangpura, people held BJP pamphlets with the PM’s photo. They trusted their homes would be safe. But when bulldozers came, no BJP leader helped,” she said. “That’s not governance — it’s betrayal.”
She also mentioned Batla House, where BJP pasted demolition notices. “We went to court and stopped it. Don’t worry — we’ll fight again and win again,” she assured residents.
She said such notices are being served in many working-class areas. “The Centre, MCD, LG, and DDA — all four engines of this government — seem focused on crushing the poor,” she added.
Atishi said AAP is gathering lawyers to challenge the notices in court. She cited constitutional rights of long-time residents. “If someone has lived in a place for 30 years, they cannot be evicted overnight,” she said. “We’ll fight legally at every level.”
She recalled AAP’s earlier success in Batla House, where demolitions were stayed. “We stopped them once. We’ll stop them again,” she said confidently.
She urged people to unite and resist. “The BJP is targeting the city’s workers — rickshaw pullers, shopkeepers, cleaners. If they stop working, Delhi stops,” she said. “We won’t let the city become a graveyard of livelihoods.”
Ending her visit, Atishi assured the traders they were not alone. “Arvind Kejriwal and AAP are with you. Whether in court or on the streets, we’ll stand by you,” she said, earning loud applause from the crowd.
As demolition drives come under public scrutiny, the Mirdard Marg situation has added fuel to the political fight between AAP and BJP over Delhi’s governance and the rights of the working class.
