BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma was today suspended from the Delhi Assembly for two days for making derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Alka Lamba, which led to disruption of House proceedings.
Sharma has been suspended till Thursday by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel even as AAP's women legislators demanded his permanent suspension and apology from the BJP MLA or Opposition leader Vijendra Gupta.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his shock over the comments and hoped BJP would take action against him.
"Am shocked at language used by O P Sharma, BJP MLA, against a lady MLA. 2 days back also, he abused a lady MLA. Hope BJP will act against him (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.
Due to uproar over Sharma's controversial comment, two proposed bills could not be tabled in the Assembly today. Besides, questions under Rule 280 were also not raised due to persistent protest by AAP MLAs.
Sharma made the remarks during a discussion on homeless people and night shelters in the city, initiated through a calling attention motion by BJP's Vijender Gupta.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia termed the incident as "shameful' in the history of Assembly and said that Sharma or the Opposition leader should tender an apology.
Protesting against the BJP legislator, five women AAP MLAs -- Lamba, Bandana Kumari, Rakhi Birla, Bhavna Gaur and Parmila Tokas -- and other ruling party MLAs came into the Well, demanding strict action against Sharma.
BJP's Gupta alleged that AAP MLA Amanatullah and Lamba tried to slap him and Sharma, which the Speaker termed as "baseless".
"Two days back, Sharma also used derogatory remarks against Lamba on a news channel and thereafter, women MLAs complained to me against the BJP MLA. Today as well, he used bad language against Lamba.
"I have suspended him till Thursday. I will take a final decision on Thursday on a government suggestion that Sharma's matter should be sent to Assembly's Ethics Committee," the Speaker told reporters here.
Gupta said this year, 402 deaths of homeless persons were reported till date, under Kashmiri Gate police station area in the city, while the number was 221 last year and alleged that the AAP government was not serious about this matter.
Lamba intervened in the discussion saying that the deaths were not due to cold but due to "use of drugs".
This prompted Sharma to counter Alka and he made a derogatory comment against her.
AAP MLAs immediately voiced their protest over the remarks and rushed into the well of the House shouting slogans and demanding his expulsion.
The Speaker had to adjourn the House twice but despite AAP MLAs continued their protest against the BJP MLA.
