Date:22/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/22/stories/2006022222380300.htm

New Delhi

BJP threatens to stall Parliament over demolitions

Special Correspondent

Take all into confidence on what the Centre proposes: V.K. Malhotra

DRIVE CONTINUES: MCD's demolition squad at work in residential area at Tagore Garden in West Delhi on Tuesday. -- Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has threatened to stall Parliament over the issue of large-scale demolition of illegal and unauthorised buildings in Delhi. It may do so next week, possibly after the Union Budget is presented on February 28.

The party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, V.K. Malhotra, told reporters here on Tuesday that the BJP expects the Urban Development Minister or someone else responsible to take Parliament into confidence on what the Centre proposes to do to deal with the sword of demolition hanging over the heads of thousands, if not lakhs, of owners of unauthorised structures.

The BJP, he said, was in favour of some kind of an amnesty scheme for small shopkeepers and property owners who have not encroached on Government land but have covered more area than allowed. He said they could be asked to pay a heavy penalty and the law could be strictly enforced for all new structures.

Besides demolitions in Delhi the party would also take up the issue of M.F. Husain's paintings causing hurt to Hindu sentiments, he said. "The Government has criticised the publication of cartoons of Prophet Mohammad in some Danish and European newspapers but has remained silent on the insult to Hindu sentiments caused by Husain's paintings," Mr. Malhotra said. "We feel it was wrong to publish cartoons of the Prophet, but it must be realised that no Indian has done this mischief. But what about Husain?"

The high prices of essential commodities like wheat, rice, flour, sugar and tea will also be raised by the BJP. And the party would like a discussion on the India-US nuclear deal (separately from the scheduled debate on the Iran vote on February 23), Mr. Malhotra said.

The BJP parliamentary party discussed these matters on Tuesday at a meeting presided over by Leader of Opposition, L.K. Advani. Attending the first meeting of the parliamentary party after taking the position of party president, Mr. Rajnath Singh was felicitated by members, Mr. Malhotra added.