Transparency brought in by us,so ‘ghost staff’ scam came to light: Delhi BJP chief

He is not worried about rebels who threaten to spoil BJP’s chances of victory. For him,rebels are a “recurring problem” in every elections. Gupta notes e-governance as a major achievement of the MCD under BJP. He said many of civic agency’s services — sanctions of building plans,tendering process and employee database — have shifted online.

Introduction of online services did away with the middleman,Gupta said. “In 2007,only 50 per cent of street lights were functional,now the rate is 95 per cent,” said Gupta. He also spoke of increase in MCD income through toll,a decision taken by the BJP.

On the role of BJP councillor who received flak for building collapses in unauthorised areas like Lalita Park and Chandni Mahal,Gupta said unauthorised colonies are an older,bigger and more complex problem.

“We cannot blame the BJP for unauthorised colonies. Seventy per cent of Delhi is unplanned and people keep growing in unplanned regions. It has become customary in areas like Walled City to raze old structure and construct new without getting the building plan sanctioned. It is the DDA’s and the Central government’s job to provide people with residential units. Most of the unauthorised constructions are in DDA colonies. There is tremendous population pressure,” said Gupta.

He said the MCD cannot solve all the problems of Delhi residents,but has to try.

Gupta has hired a private agency to manage his campaign

“There are many areas like sewage,water,unauthorised constructions where only MCD cannot correct the wrongs. It takes political will to amend the system. It has to be done with support of other parties like Congress,” said Gupta.