Amidst the city-wide protests against Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) sealing drive, Aam Adami Party MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj was cornered by a group of angry traders at South Extension Part-1 market.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been sealing shops following Supreme Court’s orders. Over seven lakh traders across Delhi shut their businesses today to protest against the relentless sealing drive.

The MLA, from Greater Kailash constituency, had come to South Extension market to extend his support to the traders.

As he began an interview with Aaj Tak, a group of traders surrounded him and questioned his presence at the protest venue.

"We support no political party. We are here to protest against the relentless sealing drive by MCD. Where had you been the last one month when the MCD was going on sealing our shops?" asked a protester.

Bhardwaj tried pacifying the traders saying that the sealing drive done by MCD was outside the jurisdiction of Delhi government.

“If MCD submits a plan (to stop sealing), we will not oppose it and will forward it to the LG (Lieutenant Governor). This is all the city government can do," said Bhardwaj.

[ITG:FACTOIDS]

The traders, however, questioned why Bhardwaj was present there if he could offer no help.

"If you can't help us, why are you here? You have been in power since the last three years, what steps did you take to avert the situation? Why do politicians only come when we stage protests? Where were you for last three years?" an angry protestor asked Bhardwaj.

The MLA, in response, said that the only way to stop the relentless sealing is by pressurising the central government to formulate a rigid law.

The angry protesters, however, continued asking questions about the agencies under Delhi government which had facilitated them in extending their shops.

"How can you (Bhardwaj) skip responsibility? What was the government doing when the Delhi Jal Board that supplies water to our shops, the electricity provider, the tax collector and many other agencies under you legitimately took money from us and facilitated extension of our shops?” asked a protester.

Baffled with the questions of the protesters, Bhardwaj fled in a hurry.

ALSO WATCH | Delhi: Traders protest against Supreme Court's ban on firecrackers

</p>