1 hr ago
Delhi Road Repair Project Fuels Minister Slap Controversy
A road in West Delhi is being repaired after residents said it had been damaged for many years.
The project costs Rs 15.76 crore and covers a 5.4-kilometre stretch.
AAP MLA Jarnail Singh said some newly laid parts were poor quality and posted videos about them.
During an inspection, PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh allegedly slapped an AAP worker who was filming.
AAP leaders condemned the alleged slap and demanded action against the minister.
BJP leaders said the inspection became disorderly because a crowd was brought to the site.
Some residents welcomed the repairs, while others said the new surface was already coming apart.
Traffic was also affected by crowds and barricades near the location.
A Rs 15.76-crore project is repairing 5.4 kilometres of Delhi’s Outer Ring Road.
AAP MLA Jarnail Singh alleged the newly laid road was faulty and substandard.
PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh allegedly slapped AAP worker Sahib Singh during a review visit.
AAP leaders demanded the minister’s dismissal, arrest and apology over the incident.
The BJP blamed the incident on an Opposition-led ruckus, while residents offered mixed views on the roadwork.
- Who
- Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, AAP MLA Jarnail Singh, AAP worker Sahib Singh, and leaders of the AAP and BJP are involved.
- What
- A road-repair project has triggered allegations of poor construction and a dispute over an alleged slap during an inspection.
- Where
- The incident occurred on the Outer Ring Road near Mohan Nagar Gurdwara in West Delhi.
- When
- The alleged slap occurred on Sunday afternoon; AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal visited the site on Monday.
- Why
- The controversy began over the reported quality of newly laid roadwork and the conduct of people during a review visit.
AAP and Critics
BJP and Government Defenders
Quality of roadwork
AAP and Critics
AAP MLA Jarnail Singh and some residents said the newly laid surface was faulty, substandard or already coming apart.
BJP and Government Defenders
The PWD Minister said the service lane was unfinished and that the visible stretch had been resurfaced quickly at the gurdwara’s request before an upcoming celebration.
Cause of the confrontation
AAP and Critics
AAP leaders condemned the alleged slap and said the minister should be dismissed, arrested and made to apologise.
BJP and Government Defenders
Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra said the inspection became disorderly after Jarnail Singh brought a crowd and created a ruckus, describing the incident as unfortunate.
Political accountability
AAP and Critics
Rahul Gandhi said the incident showed a government that no longer feared voters, while Arvind Kejriwal called for action against the minister and anyone involved in corruption.
BJP and Government Defenders
Harsh Malhotra countered that Kejriwal had remained silent over an earlier alleged assault involving senior officials and an MP at his official residence.
Key facts
- Project cost
- Rs 15.76 crore
- Roadwork scope
- Carpeting and strengthening of a 5.4-kilometre Outer Ring Road stretch
- Stretch covered
- Janakpuri District Centre Chowk to the Najafgarh Drain
- Alleged victim
- Sahib Singh, a 22-year-old AAP worker
- Alleged act
- PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh allegedly slapped Sahib Singh while he was livestreaming
- Political response
- Arvind Kejriwal demanded the minister’s dismissal, arrest and apology
- Local reaction
- Residents praised the long-awaited repairs but some questioned the new surface’s quality
Quotes
Arvind Kejriwal
AAP chief and former Delhi chief minister
“The manner in which Jarnail Singh brought a crowd and created a ruckus during the inspection led to an unfortunate incident. But when senior officials and an MP were assaulted after being called to Kejriwal’s official residence, why did he remain silent?”
indianexpress.com
“I demand that you dismiss this Minister, have him arrested and apologise to the people. Those who have committed corruption should also be sent to jail”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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