Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs were on Thursday prevented from entering the Delhi Vidhan Sabha premises, allegedly on the orders of Speaker Vijender Gupta, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the AAP and the BJP-led Delhi government.
Leader of Opposition Atishi, while addressing reporters, asserted that police officials stationed at the Assembly gates had informed AAP legislators that they were barred from entry on the Speaker’s directive.
"Police officers are saying that AAP MLAs are banned from the Delhi Assembly premises. They are saying that they have orders from the Speaker to stop the AAP MLAs at the gate. It has never happened in the entire parliamentary history of the country," Atishi remarked.
The AAP leader contended that while suspended legislators are typically not allowed to enter the House, the unprecedented move to block them 50 metres away from the gate, with barricades manned by police personnel, was a first in any legislative body in the country.
"They are saying that the Speaker has ordered that your MLA should be stopped at the gate of Delhi Vidhan Sabha. They have been removed for a three-day sitting as per the orders. But never in the history of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, or even the Parliament of the country, has an elected representative been denied entry in such a manner," she added.
Asserting that the party would continue its agitation over the matter, Atishi vowed to fight back against the move.
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The controversy erupted following the suspension of 12 AAP MLAs, including Atishi and Gopal Rai, during a tumultuous session on Tuesday, just ahead of the tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
Speaker Gupta had taken the decision after opposition members allegedly disrupted proceedings in the House.
Defending the Speaker’s decision, BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay maintained that discipline had to be upheld in the House.
"The House will run by law. If they (the opposition) create ruckus and anarchy there (in the House), then the Speaker will take a decision. The decision taken by the Speaker is final," he stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, MLA Ravindra Singh Negi took a swipe at the AAP legislators, saying, "You (opposition) are roaming around with the picture of Baba Saheb Ambedkar, but you should follow the Constitution as told by him... They (AAP) think that they are still in power, but they should remember that they are out of power now."
Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma also criticised the AAP’s conduct in the House. "They (AAP) MLAs cannot raise slogans when the LG is addressing the House. If they break the laws like this, it is not good," he remarked.
Also read: 21 AAP MLAs suspended over CAG report uproar
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