Suspension betrays arrogance of ruling AAP: Pushkar

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Nov 27 2015 | 4:57 PM IST
The Speaker's ruling suggests a dictatorial tendency, AAP MLA Pankaj Pushkar today said after his suspension from the Delhi Assembly for two days and added that the move smacks of "arrogance".
The Timarpur legislator, who has been at odds with the party leadership since the expulsion of Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, said Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been overrun by "anti-party elements".
Describing his suspension as "undemocratic", Pushkar told PTI, "The issue was to be raised under the 'calling attention' provision and would not require more than two minutes."
"I wanted to raise the issue of EWS category admissions in schools and creches on DDA land in the capital under the calling attention provision. The government could just state whether it was being complied with or not...The Speaker's step tends towards being dictatorial," Pushkar said.
But under the same provision, three issues were raised in the House on November 24, when I had first spoken about it, he said. "You may silence my voice but one day you will have to answer to the people."
Pushkar rejected suggestions that he was trying to publicly embarrass AAP by his actions. "The matter I wanted to raise is of public interest. It would rather raise the stature of the party," he said.
"Only an arrogant regime can do that (suspension). But one day you will have to answer some authority and above all the people," he said.
Pushkar has openly sided with Swaraj Abhiyan, an outfit floated by Yadav and Bhushan and has been participating in its events across the country.
He was suspended as he kept on demanding a discussion on EWS category in schools despite the Speaker's objection. Delhi Home Minister Satyender Jain moved a proposal in this regard which was voted upon.
The suspension bars Pushkar from partaking in the Assembly's proceedings today and on November 30, when it will meet next after the weekend. The session has been extended till December 4.
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First Published: Nov 27 2015 | 4:57 PM IST

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