BJP MLA runs illegal ‘PG mafia’, alleges AAP; party refutes charges

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) personnel dismantle an unsafe adjacent structure following the multi-storey building collapse tragedy at Satya Niketan in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday (September 9, 2026) alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from RK Puram Anil Sharma runs an illegal paying guest (PG) “mafia” in the Satya Niketan area, days after a building collapse there claimed seven lives.The party demanded that any demolition drive against illegal PGs should begin with Mr. Sharma’s property. The allegation came as AAP and the BJP traded blame over illegal constructions in the national capital.Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha showed a video of a building allegedly owned by Mr. Sharma. He alleged that the building had been constructed with 100% coverage, whereas building norms require at least 25% of the space to be left for utility purposes. “[Chief Minister] Rekha Gupta has spoken about sealing the fourth and fifth floors, so the sealing should begin here itself so that an example can be set,” he said.AAP national media in-charge Anurag Dhanda said, “A racket of illegal PGs was operating in the area under Anil Sharma and his team.”However, Mr. Sharma refuted the allegations. “The building shown in the photograph [by the AAP] has a stilt parking level, along with the ground, first, second and third floors. There is no fourth floor,” he said, adding that he would file a defamation suit if AAP did not withdraw the allegations.Meanwhile, the BJP attributed the city’s infrastructure issues to “criminal negligence” by successive Congress and AAP governments. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said while promising to turn Delhi into London or Paris, the parties reduced the Capital to “a slum”.He added, “AAP and Congress leaders who are blaming our party every day must explain why, between 1998 and 2025, they failed to formulate any safety policy for the thousands of coaching centres, PG accommodations, guest houses and hotels that mushroomed across Delhi.” Published - September 10, 2026 12:48 am IST