New Delhi: AAP on Monday demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for allegedly approving the felling of 1,100 trees in Delhi’s Ridge area. There was no immediate response from the Lieutenant Governor’s office. Addressing a press conference, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the affidavit of the contractor involved in the project showed that the permission to fell the trees was given by the Lieutenant Governor.

“The contractor’s affidavit states that he was informed in an email from the DDA (Delhi Development Authority) that the Lieutenant Governor had given permission to remove the trees blocking the right-of-way,” he claimed. Bharadwaj said the email “exposed” the Lieutenant Governor. “He should tender his resignation immediately. I request him to come clean,” the minister added. The Supreme Court on its own initiative initiated contempt of court proceedings against the DDA vice-chairman for allegedly cutting down 1,100 trees in the high forest as part of a road widening project.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh, on the other hand, alleged that the BJP and the Lt. Governor were “ruining” Delhi. During a press conference, he held up alleged documents and said, “The company that cut the trees has given an affidavit in court saying that the Lt. Governor is responsible for it.” He said that as per the original plan, the land of the surrounding farmhouses was to be acquired for the road. But to save the farmhouses, 1,100 trees were cut down, he alleged, and asked if there was a “deal”.