Massive showdown in Delhi Assembly over L-G's letter to Speaker

BJP, Congress ask for vote on L-G's letter; AAP seeks debate over tabling of Jan Lokpal Bill

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress MLAs today disrupted proceedings in the Delhi Assembly demanding tabling of the Lt Governor's communication to the Speaker against the introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill in the House without Centre's clearance.

With Speaker M S Dhir not giving any categorical response to the demand, the legislators from both the parties shouted slogans, forcing him to adjourn the House for 20 minutes.      

As soon as the House met, a majority of BJP and Congress MLAs stood up and shouted slogans demanding that the Speaker clarify on any such communication sent to him by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.      

"House proceedings will be through proper procedure. Please tell the House whether or not the LG has sent any communication to you. It should be put before the House," BJP leader Harsh Vardhan said.      

He was also joined by Congress MLAs Arvinder Singh Lovely and Haroon Yusuf among others.   Following repeated disruptions, the Speaker said "it will be put up as soon as possible as per convenience".      

But both BJP and Congress legislators continued to disrupt the proceedings with their slogan-shouting.

The Speaker also called representatives of various parties for discussion on the issue.      

Jung has today advised the Delhi Assembly Speaker against allowing tabling of the Jan Lokpal Bill.      

In a letter to Dhir, the LG said the AAP government did not go through the laid down procedures in getting approval for tabling of the bill and as custodian of the House he should consider these aspects while dealing with the issue.      

The four-day assembly session has been called by Delhi Government for passage of contentious Jan Lokpal and Swaraj Bills.