New Delhi: Tensions escalated in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday as Speaker Vijender Gupta suspended 21 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including prominent leaders such as Atishi, Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain, and Vishesh Ravi.
The suspension was imposed after the opposition members engaged in unruly behavior during an address by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
The controversy began when the Lieutenant Governor was speaking about the Delhi government’s future policies and focus areas, including corruption-free governance, women empowerment, and clean drinking water.
During his speech, AAP MLAs started sloganeering over the alleged removal of portraits of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and revolutionary Bhagat Singh from the Chief Minister’s office, a claim that has been denied by the ruling BJP.
Despite repeated calls for order by Speaker Gupta, the opposition members continued their protests, leading to the suspension.
In response, Delhi Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh moved a motion to take action against the protesting MLAs, which was passed through a voice-vote. The suspended MLAs were barred from participating in the remaining sessions of the ongoing assembly proceedings. Following the suspension, AAP lawmakers held protests outside the assembly.
The issue of the portrait removal has added fuel to the ongoing political conflict between the AAP and BJP. AAP leaders, including Atishi, condemned the move, questioning the BJP’s decision to replace the portraits of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh with one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Atishi remarked, “Is PM Modi bigger than Dr. BR Ambedkar? We will continue our protest until Ambedkar’s portrait is reinstated.”
Adding to the political tension, the presentation of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) report earlier in the session also sparked a heated exchange. The report included allegations of corruption against former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, specifically related to the controversial liquor policy. The BJP has accused Kejriwal of involvement in a scam linked to the policy, intensifying the standoff between the two parties.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly session has been extended by two more days, with both parties gearing up for further debates and protests. The developments highlight the growing divide between the BJP and AAP as the political climate in Delhi remains charged.
