NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the third day of the assembly session on Thursday accused the BJP-led Delhi government of denying its MLAs from entering the Vidhan Sabha premises.
AAP leader and former Delhi chief minister Atishi called it an unprecedented move that has “never happened in the history of Delhi Vidhan Sabha“.
Taking to X, Atishi accused the BJP of “dictatorship” condemned the action, saying, “The BJP people have crossed all limits of dictatorship after coming to power. Aam Aadmi Party MLAs were suspended from the House for three days for raising slogans of ‘Jai Bhim’. And today AAP MLAs are not even being allowed to enter the Vidhan Sabha premises. It has never happened in the history of Delhi Vidhan Sabha that elected MLAs are not being allowed to enter the Vidhan Sabha premises.”
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha backed Atishi’s claims, saying, “Never in the history since Independence has this happened that MLAs are being stopped from entering the Assembly premises on the order of the Speaker. The Speaker has issued a strange order which is a breach of privilege. The Speaker is not even ready to talk over the issue. The Assembly cannot run according to the whims and fancies of the Speaker.”
According to the List of Business of the Legislative Assembly, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta is set to propose BJP MLA Mohan Singh Bisht’s name for the post of Deputy Speaker, a motion seconded by Gajender Singh Yadav.
The second day of the session on Tuesday saw the BJP government presenting 14 CAG reports detailing alleged financial irregularities under the previous AAP government.
One of the most reports examined Delhi’s excise policy, highlighting revenue losses exceeding Rs 2,000 crore due to weak policy frameworks and implementation.
Also read: Key findings of CAG report tabled in Delhi assembly
The report pointed out violations in the licensing process and claimed that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia ignored expert recommendations, leading to losses from unauthorized liquor vends and surrendered licenses that were not re-tendered.
The BJP has used these findings to target AAP, with BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay saying, “Today is a very important day. Those who did injustice to the people of Delhi and were involved in corruption will be held accountable. From Arvind Kejriwal to Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj to Somnath Bharti, everyone will face consequences. The truth behind many scams in Delhi, including those related to transport, health, and the Jal Board, will now be exposed.”
The release of the CAG reports led to protests from AAP MLAs, resulting in the expulsion of 22 legislators from the Assembly. Speaker Vijender Gupta ordered several AAP MLAs to be marshalled out for disrupting proceedings by raising slogans.
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, who presented the reports, remarked, “My government, in its first Cabinet meeting, decided to table the CAG reports. This will pave the way to identify and address administrative deficiencies of the last government. In the coming months, we will focus on corruption-free governance, women empowerment, clean Delhi, Yamuna rejuvenation, and clean drinking water.”