In Uttar Pradesh, at least four BJP ex-MLAs who joined Samajwadi Party are facing demolition proceedings against properties owned by them over charges of illegal construction.
The authorities on Thursday demolished the “illegal” commercial complex of former BJP MLA Roshan Lal Verma’s daughter-in-law in Shahjahanpur who had jumped ship to the SP before the state Assembly polls.
Verma termed the government action a “conspiracy.”
Former state minister for Ayush and Nakur MLA Dharam Singh Saini is also facing demolition proceedings.
“Former BJP minister and SP leader Dharam Singh Saini’s property has also come under scanner. Notices have been sent to 24 shop owners in a market which had “illegally” come up after demolishing Veterinary hospital. Saini owns two shops in the market,” journalist Piyush Rai tweeted.
Saini said he has the required documents for the two shops that he owns, and he will submit a reply to the notice soon, Indian Express reported.
“I bought the land for two shops a few years ago. All shopkeepers in the area have been served notices that claim that the construction is illegal. We are challenging the notice. I have all the required papers. I still haven’t received the notice personally as it is coming by post,” said Saini.
Former BJP MLA Brajesh Prajapati. who also had switched to the SP was also served a show-cause notice.
The authorities in Banda district alleged that his multistorey structure has allegedly been built without proper sanction.
Demolition order has also been issued Banda development authority.
These three former BJP MLAs joined the SP along with former BJP minister and senior OBC leader Swami Prasad Maurya in January this year.
According to The Quint, revenue officials on Wednesday also paid a visit to Maurya.
The authorities warned Maurya that if he does not vacate and demolish the “illegal construction” on his own within 15 days, the same will be demolished by the BDA and the he will have to bear the cost, the news website reported.
This comes after BJP governments’ and authorities’ “anti-encroachment drives” in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi met criticisms from Opposition leaders, rights groups and even from Supreme Court of India.
These demolition drives were called as “targeted attacks by BJP government.”
