Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by the courts and stressed that the displaced residents have been provided accommodation. The remarks come amid criticism from the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the razing of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster near Barapullah in south Delhi, and similar demolition drives in other parts of the city. While the AAP has targeted Gupta, saying those evicted were provided houses lacking basic amenities in faraway Narela, party MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday visited the demolition site of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster, where they met with displaced residents, and intensified their attack on the BJP. Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, the Chief Minister  told reporters, In the past few days, whatever demolition action have been taken by the authorities, like at the Madrasi Camp where the court had given directions to remove the encroachment over the Barapullah drain, almost four times. The encroachment over the Barapullah drain had reduced its width, causing problems of waterlogging in nearby areas, she said, adding the action was necessary to carry out desilting work. This (AAP) is a drama party and they are unemployed people. Their job is to mislead and deceive the people of Delhi. Whereas we are taking care of the people of Delhi in a positive way, doing overall development, following the courts orders... It is our job to provide facilities, but if someone builds a house over a drain or on a road, then this will not work. We have to take care of everyones facilities..., she said. Neither the Government nor the administration can do anything if the court has ordered something for the slums. The Madrasi Camp was set up on the banks of the Barapullah drain. The court had ordered the removal of this slum so that machines could be deployed to clean the drain. No one can defy court orders. Houses have been allotted to the residents of that camp, she told reporters. This (AAP) is an autocratic party. What can I say about the thinking of a party which used to sit on dharna during its rule?... We have to follow the Constitution, we have to run the government according to the Constitution... Our aim is to provide a permanent house to every person, but that work can be done only in a planned manner... This Delhi, which remained backwards for so long after independence, cannot be cured in 100 days. It will take years to cure it, but both our policy and intention are right... the chief minister said.  Reacting to the chief ministers comments, her predecessor, Atishi, said the BJPs key poll promise of Jaha Jhuggi, Wahi Makaan (houses where the slum is) rings hollow. In a post in Hindi on X, Atishi said, Rekha ji, did the court also say that the BJP should not fulfil its promise of Jaha Jhuggi, Wahi Makaan? If the slums had to be demolished, then why werent people given houses in nearby areas? Most people from Madrasi Camp didnt get any housing. Those who did were given dilapidated houses 40 km away in Narela with no jobs, roads, schools or hospitals, she claimed. Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday visited the demolition site of the Madrasi Camp slum cluster, where they met with displaced residents, and intensified their attack on the BJP over the recent eviction drive.  They alleged that Prime Minister Modis promise to slum dwellers of jahan jhuggi wahan makan - house at the site of their hutment — has proved to be hollow like many others. The Madrasi Camp — a jhuggi cluster situated along the Barapullah drain near Nizamuddin Railway Station — was home to nearly 370 families for almost 60 years. It was cleared by authorities after eviction notices were issued last month. However, only 189 families were deemed eligible for relocation to government flats in Narela.  

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