The second day of the Delhi Assembly session was marked by intense protests and political tensions as all 22 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs were suspended for a day over their sloganeering during Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s address. The disruption stemmed from allegations that portraits of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh were removed from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s chamber—a claim that CM Gupta refuted by showing the media that the portraits were still in place, albeit relocated.
Assembly Disruption and Suspension of AAP MLAs
As the proceedings commenced, AAP MLAs began chanting slogans, leading Speaker Vijender Gupta to take disciplinary action. Initially, five MLAs were suspended, but as the chaos continued, the number rose to 22, including key leaders such as Leader of Opposition Atishi and Gopal Rai. Twelve of the MLAs were physically escorted out by marshals for disrupting the session.
The session also saw CM Gupta tabling the long-pending CAG report on the Excise Policy 2024, a policy linked to the controversial liquor scam that had led to the arrest of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. Both leaders were later granted bail. Speaker emphasized the significance of tabling the CAG report, stating that no such reports had been presented since 2017-18, a violation of constitutional norms by the previous government.
LG’s Address and Government Agenda
During his address, LG Saxena highlighted the administration’s commitment to transparency and governance reforms, stating, “My government, in its first Cabinet meeting, decided to table the CAG reports. This will pave the way to identify and address administrative deficiencies left by the previous government. Our priorities include corruption-free governance, women empowerment, a cleaner Delhi, Yamuna rejuvenation, and safe drinking water.”
The address was repeatedly interrupted by AAP legislators, who were protesting against what they claimed was an insult to Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh. Following their suspension, the MLAs staged a sit-in under Ambedkar’s statue within the Assembly premises, vowing to continue their protest.
Political Reactions and Allegations
Reacting to the suspension, AAP leader Atishi accused the BJP government of side-lining Ambedkar’s legacy. “BJP has replaced Babasaheb Ambedkar’s photo with PM Modi’s. Is PM Modi bigger than Ambedkar ji? Are they this arrogant? Do they think that PM Modi can take his place? We will continue to protest against this,” she stated.
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha echoed similar sentiments, asserting, “There is no one bigger than Babasaheb Ambedkar. We will not back down, and this suspension will not deter our movement.”
The dramatic turn of events in the Delhi Assembly highlights the deepening political divide between the ruling BJP and AAP. The suspension of the entire opposition bloc underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding governance, transparency, and ideological clashes. With AAP vowing to persist in its protests, the political standoff in the capital is expected to intensify in the coming days.
(With inputs from agencies)
