Arvind Kejriwal Faces Delhi Assembly’s Privileges Committee Over ‘Faansi Ghar’ Controversy
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New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, appeared before the Delhi Assembly’s Committee of Privileges on Friday regarding the ‘Faansi Ghar’ incident. During this committee meeting, led by Pradyumn Singh Rajput, Kejriwal provided his rationale for labeling a shaft in the Assembly as a ‘Faansi Ghar’ and for allowing it to be accessible to the public.
The Privileges Committee is made up of MLAs including Surya Prakash Khatri, Abhay Kumar Verma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Satish Upadhyay, Neeraj Basoya, Ravi Kant, Ram Singh Netaji, and Surender Kumar.
This issue was initially brought to light by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta and revolves around the legitimacy of the ‘Faansi Ghar’ that was inaugurated on August 9, 2022, within the Delhi Legislative Assembly grounds.
The Committee of Privileges has been assigned to thoroughly investigate this matter to ensure a comprehensive and procedural evaluation of the circumstances that led to the inauguration.
Earlier in the day, Saurabh Bharadwaj, the Delhi AAP Convener, criticized the committee's actions, labeling it a dark day in the city’s democratic history.
“It’s unprecedented for an Assembly panel to summon a former Speaker and Chief Minister. The former CM requested live streaming of the proceedings to ensure media presence, but they seem hesitant,” he commented.
On Thursday, the Assembly secretariat declined Kejriwal’s request for live streaming of the committee's proceedings.
The Deputy Secretary of the Legislature communicated to Kejriwal, stating, “I am directed by the Chairperson to inform you that the Committee of Privileges' proceedings are confidential, and the Rules of Procedure do not allow for live streaming. Furthermore, there is no precedent for the Committee of Privileges sessions being broadcast in Parliament or in other states.”
“The Chairperson expressed surprise at your lack of awareness regarding this, given your tenure of over ten years as a member of this House, during which multiple sessions of the Committee of Privileges took place without any being telecast or live streamed,” the Deputy Secretary added.