In solidarity with Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)’s striking MTS (Multi-Task Staff) workers, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors on Monday joined the protest demanding equal pay for equal work, slamming the BJP-ruled civic administration for “criminal neglect” of employees and public health. Led by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ankush Narang, the AAP councillors urged the BJP government to immediately fulfil the workers’ demands, warning that essential services like fogging and tank-checking have been halted for eight days as 5,000 MTS employees remain on strike.
Ankush Narang pointed to Mayor Raj Iqbal Singh’s “complete apathy” and said that due to the failure of the BJP’s so-called “four-engine government,” Delhi is now witnessing a dangerous surge in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases. Ankush Narang added that AAP councillors marked their attendance at the protest site in solidarity. Those present included AAP MCD co-incharges Praveen Deshmukh and Preeti Dogra, along with former Mayor Mahesh Khichi, former Deputy Mayor Ravindra Bhardwaj, Rakesh Kumar (former councillor), local councillor Kiran Bala, Ramesh Pradhan, Sarika Chaudhary, Vijay Kumar, Nirmala Kumari, and Amrit Jain.
During this, MCD LoP Ankush Narang said that for the past eight days, 5,200 MTS and CFW (Contractual Field Workers) employees of the MCD have been on an indefinite strike. “Since September 29, these workers have been demanding equal pay for equal work, medical leave, and job security for the family in case of death. All three demands are completely legitimate. Due to the negligence of the BJP’s so-called four-engine government, the people of Delhi are suffering from widespread diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya,” he said.
The MCD LoP noted, “These employees, deployed in MCD’s Malaria-Dengue department, visit homes to prevent mosquito breeding, carry out fogging, water-tank checking, and spraying. Despite serving for 25–30 years, they still do not receive equal pay. They work in disease-prone conditions yet are denied medical leave, and if they die, their families are not entitled to jobs. Their demands are completely justified. The Aam Aadmi Party fully supports them, but to prevent harm to the people of Delhi, a swift resolution must be reached.”
Ankush Narang said, “The BJP’s four engines have failed miserably. The Mayor’s arrogance has reached a level where he refuses to even consider the employees’ demands. Fogging, spraying, and tank checking have remained suspended for eight days. Dengue and malaria cases in Delhi have hit a five-year high, but the BJP has not even launched a single awareness campaign. He recalled that Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘10 Hafte 10 Baje 10 Minute’ campaign had successfully mobilized citizens to check stagnant water in flower pots and plants to prevent mosquito breeding. The BJP has no strategy, no preparedness in hospitals — the people of Delhi are left at the mercy of God.”
Ankush Narang further revealed that he had facilitated a meeting between the striking employees and the Medical Health Officer (MHO), where assurances were given but never implemented. As Leader of Opposition, he also raised the issue in the House, requesting the Mayor to meet the employees before the strike, but the Mayor never made time. The employees are now on hunger strike, with teams of eight fasting 24 hours a day in rotation. “Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh is nothing but a dummy Mayor who feels no concern. The BJP is only focused on corruption,” Ankush Narang said. “Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ties rakhis to employees on Raksha Bandhan, but has abandoned 5,200 families on the streets.”
AAP’s MCD co-incharge Praveen Kumar Deshmukh said that for the past eight days, MCD’s malaria-dengue MTS employees have been sitting on protest outside Civic Centre, braving heavy rain, heat, and sun for their legitimate rights. Their demand for equal pay for equal work is absolutely justified. He highlighted the gross disparity in MTS salaries within MCD — some earn ₹16,000, others ₹20,000 or ₹26,000, with some not even getting the minimum wage. “Across the world, the principle of equal pay for equal work is upheld. These employees work tirelessly to prevent dengue and malaria in every household — then why this discrimination?” he asked.
Praveen Kumar mentioned that despite several rounds of talks with the Mayor and MCD officials, the BJP government has refused to meet even the most legitimate demands of these workers.
He recalled that when AAP governed the MCD and Shelly Oberoi was Mayor, these employees were designated as Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBC) and later given MTS status. However, even after being upgraded to MTS, they still receive their old salaries, while the revised MTS pay scale has not been implemented — a “disgraceful” situation, he said.
Praveen Kumar added that from the Centre to the MCD, BJP’s “four-engine government” has collapsed into infighting. “The Standing Committee Chairperson is clashing with the Mayor, councillors are fighting the Chairperson, and no one listens to the Chief Minister. The BJP’s engines are colliding instead of moving Delhi forward. The public is suffering — it’s time to remove these broken engines,” he said.
Praveen Kumar concluded that the Aam Aadmi Party stands firmly with these employees. “As long as the strike continues and until their demands are fulfilled, AAP’s leaders and volunteers will remain shoulder to shoulder with them,” he said.
