Atishi among 12 AAP MLAs suspended on Day 1 of Delhi Assembly session

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Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta suspended 12 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Atishi, for the day due to their "disruptive sloganeering" during Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena's speech on Tuesday (February 25). The expelled AAP members include Atishi, Gopal Rai, Veer Singh Dhingan, Mukesh Ahlawat, Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed, Anil Jha, Vishesh Ravi, and Jarnail Singh.

 

 

Following the expulsion, Atishi accused the BJP of dishonouring BR Ambedkar by taking down his portrait from the chief minister’s office. Speaking outside the Delhi Assembly, she said, "By removing Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait, the BJP has revealed its real stance. Do they think PM Modi can take Babasaheb’s place?" 

 

She also claimed that the BJP-led government had removed Ambedkar’s portraits from both the Delhi Secretariat and the assembly’s chief minister’s office.  The suspended AAP lawmakers later held a protest on the assembly premises with Ambedkar portraits, raising "Babashaeb ka ye apman nahin sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate this insult to Babasaheb)" slogans.   Delhi Assembly session: L-G's address

  Meanwhile, L-G Saxena, in his address, said, "My government will adopt 'Viksit Delhi Sankalp Patra' as document for policy guidance and fulfil all promises made to people."   He further said, "Corruption-free governance, women empowerment, clean Delhi, rejuvenation of Yamuna, and clean drinking water will be the focus areas of the government." The L-G went on to add, "Continuous clashes and blame game in the past 10 years have hurt Delhi; my government will work in coordination with Centre, other states."    Notably, out of the 14 pending CAG reports, one on the now-withdrawn Delhi liquor policy was presented in the Assembly on Tuesday. According to the report, the Delhi government suffered cumulative losses of over Rs 2,000 crore due to the 2021-2022 excise policy for reasons ranging from weak policy framework to deficient implementation. 

Delhi Assembly session: CAG reports

 

The delayed Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reports highlight alleged cost overruns in the renovation of the Chief Minister’s residence and the setting-up of Mohalla clinics under the earlier AAP government.

 

Significantly, the Chief Minister’s residence was a major issue in the BJP’s campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections. The saffron party claimed there was corruption and irregularities in rebuilding the bungalow and its fancy interior, naming it ‘Sheeshmahal’ (glass palace).