East Delhi MCD sanitation workers end strike

The move was made hours after the Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Arvind Kejriwal government to release the pending salaries of MCD workers by June 15.

This comes even as Delhi LG Najeeb Jung assured MCD mayors that the crisis would be resolved as Rs 493 crore will be released by Friday itself for the payments of the workers' salaries.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in the national capital, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) passed on the blame to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which rules Delhi's civic bodies.

AAP asked the BJP to not politicise over the issue of sanitation.

AAP leader Dilip Pandey demanded a probe into role of BJP in the issue. He also alleged that BJP used funds meant for salaries of the sanitation workers for other purposes.

Party's senior leader Sanjay Singh said, "BJP is targeting Delhi for bringing AAP to power here."

Earlier in the day, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi joined the protest by sanitation workers in East Delhi.

About 12,000 sanitation workers have been on a strike for ten days now in Delhi, refusing to work without being paid their salary.

They have not been paid their salary for the last two months.

Addressing the protesting group, Rahul Gandhi said the workers need to show their strength.

"Centre and Delhi government have indulged in blame game over this issue. I will take up this responsibility. You have to show your strength to Delhi government and Centre," Gandhi told the agitating group.

"Your work will be done only if you show your strength," said he.

Lauding their work, Gandhi said, "You are not just sanitation workers but are the soldiers of this country."

Both AAP and BJP governments have indulged in a tug of war with each accusing the other of not releasing enough funds.

Meanwhile, the strike has led to into giant garbage dumps mainly in East Delhi with a estimated 15,000 tons of waste rotting on roadsides.