Delhi Assembly: Atishi Protests After Opposition MLAs Barred from Entry
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Synopsis
Atishi, the Leader of Opposition, protested outside the Delhi Assembly after the Speaker suspended 21 Opposition MLAs. She criticized this unprecedented move, claiming it violated democratic principles.
Key Takeaways
- Atishi led a sit-in outside the Assembly.
- 21 Opposition MLAs were suspended by Speaker Vijender Gupta.
- Security staff denied entry to the suspended MLAs.
- The suspension is extended until March 3.
- BJP claims AAP has been unconstructive in their tenure.
New Delhi, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi staged a dharna outside the Delhi Assembly on Thursday, claiming the overreach of Speaker Vijender Gupta, who suspended 21 Opposition MLAs from the House.
"This marks a historic moment in our nation where elected representatives are being barred from accessing a legislature," Atishi informed IANS.
"We are not merely protesting; we are compelled to sit here as security personnel have denied us entry into the premises," she stated.
The AAP MLA from Kalkaji noted that the security team failed to provide any documentation when the suspended MLAs sought a copy of the Speaker's order that prohibited their access.
Initially, on Tuesday, Speaker Vijender Gupta suspended the AAP MLAs for three sittings, but on Thursday, the Assembly secretariat announced that the suspension would last for the entire session, likely until March 3.
"Why is the ruling BJP so intimidated by the legacy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar?" she questioned, recalling the previous House proceedings when the AAP MLAs were suspended for raising issues regarding the alleged removal of Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh's portraits from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's office.
The BJP dismissed AAP's claims of any misconduct within the Assembly.
In reference to the suspension of the 21 AAP legislators, Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma remarked, "This is merely the beginning. Numerous unprecedented events are set to unfold in the new Assembly, as AAP has contributed nothing constructive over the past decade."
"The inappropriate conduct of AAP MLAs during the address by L-G V. K. Saxena tarnishes parliamentary decorum," he added.
"The rules and traditions dictate that whether it is the President's address in Parliament or the L-G's address in the Delhi Assembly, AAP MLAs have been penalized for their serious infraction," he emphasized.
BJP MLA Kailash Gahlot stated that AAP MLAs lack the credibility to contest their suspension.
"In the previous Assembly, BJP MLA O. P. Sharma was expelled for the entire session," he said, questioning why AAP MLAs were raising complaints regarding their suspension.
