Posters against Congress MLAs 'sellout' to BJP

NEW DELHI: With rumours about a group of Congress MLAs willing to support a BJP government in Delhi gaining ground, posters have been put up in the assembly constituencies of the three Muslim Congress MLAs, calling them "traitors of the community". The posters call for large-scale protest outside residences of Mateen Ahmed, Asif Mohd Khan and Hasan Ahmed on July 16.

It is being alleged that these leaders have come to an understanding with RSS to support BJP in government formation. In another poster, it is alleged that BJP is indulging in horse-trading and will be paying Rs 20 crore each to these MLAs, a charge made by AAP leader and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal elsewhere. Hundreds of posters and hoardings had sprung up overnight in Okhla, Seelampur and Mustafabad assembly constituencies against these MLAs.

On Wednesday morning, Delhi Police removed the hoardings and registered a case against unknown persons under section 153 A and 295 of the IPC for promoting enmity between two groups and defacement of property.

The Congress MLAs allege that these posters have been put up by AAP to divide the community. "AAP is playing dirty to woo Muslims. They claim BJP is paying Rs 20 crore to buy MLAs. Did they (AAP) also pay to form the government in December last year," asked Mateen Ahmed, MLA from Seelampur. The other two leaders could not be contacted despite efforts.

Walled City residents say they have been getting recorded voice messages against these MLAs. "The message says how these MLAs have been paid off by BJP to form a government," said a resident.

AAP spokesperson Kapil Mishra denied the allegations. "These allegations are baseless. Everyone knows what's going on in Delhi. BJP is indulging in horse-trading. We have seen media footage in which Mateen Ahmed and Asif Mohd are seen interacting with BJP leaders. These hoardings just reflect the public mood in the city. We want Delhi LG to dissolve the assembly," he said.