Susie Shah says AAP is all blah, blah

The Maharashtra State Commission for Women MSCW and the Aam Aadmi Party AAP are on a collision course The AAP protested yesterday afternoon in front of the MSCW headquarters at the MHADA building in Bandra E The AAP has upped the ante asking a number of Non Governmental Organisations NGOs to boycott an interaction to be held at the Sahyadri Guest House on Malabar Hill hosted by the MSWC todaySymbolic The derelict Shakti Mills holds Mumbairsquos darkest tale in its crevices mdash the rape of a journalist that ignited widespread anger According to the AAP there are question marks hanging over the process of selection and appointment of MSCW members and the chairperson Susie Shah Says AAP The State Government had failed to make any appointments since 2009 for a period of five years It was only after two Public Interest Litigations PILs were filed and with just a few months left to elections that the State chose to appoint persons in MSCW in a manner that violates the provisions of the MSCW Act 1993 TargetingThe AAP has zeroed in on Susie Shah specifically stating that the State has ldquodisregarded the complaints pending an inquiry into the alleged misconduct and dereliction of duty by Susie Shahrdquo They have also dug up controversial comments by Dr Asha Mirge see box to shore up their arguments against the Commission AAP slammed Mirge saying ldquoShameful statements of board member Mrs Asha Mirge totally demolishes any hope from this Commission for women expecting treatment as equalsrdquoHitting back Susie Shah retaliates against the AAPSusie Shah stated that she was not present at her office yesterday when this protest took place as she had no clue that a protest was to take place ldquoI think there were hardly any persons at this protest I was away to receive an award at a hotel in Bandra I do not know what the problem is Vijashri K AAPrsquos representative at the protest and part of AAP ki Shakti the womenrsquos cell of the AAP hit back stating ldquoWe had only 15 persons protesting yesterday because the police told us to keep numbers down as they were tied up with several protests and marches in the city It was a peaceful protest and went on for 15 hours in the afternoon We had two victims of harassment joining in the protest though they are not members of the AAP These victims also spoke to the media that was present there explaining their case and reasons for being thereOut out Aam Aadmi finding a voice at Bandra E yesterdaySpecificsWhen asked to be specific about what their problems were with the Commission and whether AAP was becoming a protest party holding protests and dharnas all over the place so that it had become a laughing stock Vijashri reacted stronglyldquoWe are asking why this body is simply associating with so many NGOs without looking at the work they are doing So many NGOs are corrupt and do not function in a proper manner Is the MSCW looking into this After the protest outside we went inside the office and met a couple of board members One board member an advocate did not even know that the Commission was to hold a daylong interaction today on a number of issues Can you believe it she a board member did not know what Susie Shah was doingrdquoSusie Shah though scoffed at the claims stating ldquothat is not possible Everybody knows about our program and today they will all be present at Sahyadri Guest Houserdquo AAP also stated that instead of meeting NGOs ldquoThe Commission must start meeting victims We want various political appointments in the MSCW to be stopped By political appointments we mean people like Susie Shahrdquo Vijashri stated firmly that ldquoYes we will continue to protest and we want an andolan a revolution in Mahila AhyogrdquoSusie Shah stated ldquoI am proud to be from a political party Just because I am from a political party that does not mean I cannot be a social activist I am also an activist for womenrsquos issuesrdquo A protestor claimed that other board members explained to them that Shahrsquos appointment was justified Next week we will be protesting outside the CMrsquos office against Shahrsquos appointmentrdquo she addedSusie Shah however rubbished all claims by protestors claiming there was nothing pending against her and said that the interaction with NGOs would be go ahead today at the Malabar Hill venue The Mumbaibased chairperson ended by saying that Everybody has a right to protest but instead of simply holding protests I want to ask them the AAP who oppose political appointments what have they done for womenrsquos empowermentrdquo