Atishi stages dharna over MLAs’ suspension

On Thursday, Atishi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, sat on a dharna outside the Assembly premises, protesting the suspension of 21 Opposition MLAs by Speaker Vijender Gupta.

Atishi accused the Speaker of highhandedness, claiming that it was the first time in India's history that elected representatives had been denied entry into a legislature.

The AAP MLA from Kalkaji explained to IANS that the Opposition MLAs were not staging a sit-in voluntarily but were forced to squat as the security staff refused to let them enter the premises.

When the suspended MLAs requested a copy of the Speaker's order banning their entry, the security staff could not provide any documentation to substantiate the decision.

The Speaker initially suspended the AAP MLAs for three sittings on Tuesday, but the suspension was extended to the entire session, with the Assembly secretariat suggesting it could last until March 3.

Atishi voiced concerns over the BJP's fear of the name of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, recalling that the suspension followed AAP MLAs' objections to the alleged removal of Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh's photos from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office.

BJP officials, including Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, defended the suspension, stating that AAP MLAs’ disruptive behavior during the address by Delhi L-G V. K. Saxena was a breach of parliamentary practices.

Verma added that AAP MLAs had done nothing constructive in the past decade. BJP MLA Kailash Gahlot pointed out that suspensions were common and referred to a previous incident involving BJP MLA O.P. Sharma.

The ongoing clash between the AAP and BJP over the suspension issue has intensified political tensions in the Delhi Assembly.