BJP flags new controversy on constituency offices

NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Aam Aadmi Party over the demand of salary hike by a section of its MLAs. It alleged that the ruling party had "hidden" a plan to establish constituency offices for all legislators.

Leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta released a letter written by speaker Ram Niwas Goel to buttress his point. He called the demand for salary hike "deceitful".

"Acceptance of the concept of establishment of 'office of assembly constituency' was already conveyed by the government to speaker.Then why the demand to hike salary?" Gupta asked.

"The speaker has informed the MLAs in his letter that the government of Delhi has conveyed its inprinciple agreement to the concept of establishing `office of assembly constituency' in each of the constituencies. Moreover, the speaker has clearly written in that letter that this office should be about 700-1000sq ft in size and should be located at a convenient location. He further said that office infrastructure like staff, furniture, computer, fax, etc, will be provided by the assembly secretariat," Gupta said.

Goel's letter further informs the MLAs that "it has been further requested by the government of Delhi that this office should not be located in hospitalsdispensaries and schools, as far as possible.

The BJP's attack follows the recent controversy after over 20 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs raised their demand for a hike in MLA salaries citing how the Rs 85,000 package was not enough. Many MLAs sought office space from the government.