AAP escalates attack on Sharma, demands ouster from Assembly

Stepping up its attack on BJP legislator O P Sharma for his "derogatory" remarks against its MLA Alka Lamba, AAP today demanded his expulsion from Delhi Assembly and said that its women lawmakers will abstain from attending the House proceedings until his ouster.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also demanded stringent action from the BJP against Sharma for the "unparliamentary language" used against Lamba.
"It is shameful that the Assembly has such elected MLAs. Does BJP want such a nation where women are treated like this? BJP should clarify its stand whether it is with Sharma or will it take any action against him," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said at a press conference, which was also addressed by AAP's women MLAs including Lamba.

"We have requested the Deputy Chief Minister that until Sharma remains in the House, we will not attend the proceedings," AAP's Palam MLA Bhavna Gaur said.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ramniwas Goel yesterday suspended Sharma till Thursday for using derogatory language against the Chandni Chowk MLA during a discussion on night shelters.
"This is not the first time that Sharma has made such comments. He used the same language for me earlier too and also repeated the same behaviour before Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). Despite repeated efforts, no enquiry has unfortunately been able to progress," Lamba said.

"When the issue of night shelters and drugs was being discussed yesterday in the Assembly, deviating from the topic O P Sharma pointed fingers at me and made derogatory remarks. This is not only my fight... This is every woman's fight against bad treatment towards them by a few members of the society," she added.

Delhi Legislative Assembly's Deputy Speaker Bandana Kumari said, "O P Sharma did not abuse Alka Lamba ji alone, but also the women who in night shift. His statement reflects the mentality of the party."
Thanking the party for its support, Lamba said, "I am glad that the Speaker took serious note of Sharma's comments. The Chief Minister also expressed shock on the same."
She said the use of "derogatory" words had hurt her at a personal level as well. "Apart from being a public representative, I am also a woman. I tried to hide the news from my son, but could not. He is 18-year-old."

Escalating its attack on BJP and Sharma, the AAP used all platforms to voice its protest. The party's women wing staged a protest outside Sharma's residence, while its social media team launched a campaign against both the BJP and the MLA.