Delhi assembly session: Ruckus, sloganeering as AAP, BJP target each other

Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam accused the BJP of toppling governments in states such as Maharashtra by threatening and bribing lawmakers

The Delhi assembly proceedings were suspended for 10 minutes amid ruckus and sloganeering as ruling Aam Admi Party (AAP) lawmakers accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to topple the government by offering money.

AAP lawmakers arrive for special session of Delhi assembly. (PTI)

Saurabh Bharadwaj-led lawmakers entered the assembly premises raising slogans and alleging ₹20 crore bribe offer was made to the AAP lawmakers. BJP members responded with counter slogans over the alleged liquor scam as the assembly’s one-day special session commenced.

Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam accused the BJP of toppling governments in states such as Maharashtra by threatening and bribing lawmakers. “In today’s one-day special session, we will uncover their conspiracy in Delhi. We want to tell them that these threats being made using CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation] and ED [Enforcement Directorate] should be stopped. Everything will be kept before the people of the country and we are not afraid.”

AAP members alleged BJP lawmakers made phone recordings of the proceedings in violation of House rules. Deputy speaker Rakhi Birla asked BJP lawmaker Ajay Mahawar as to why his phone must not be seized for recording the proceedings. The BJP lawmakers protested and were later marshalled out of the House, where the proceedings resumed around 11.30am.

Opposition leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri staged a protest near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the assembly premises against the alleged liquor scam and demanded the resignation of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. He said they wanted a discussion on the excise policy, but the government is running away.

BJP lawmaker Vijender Gupta said AAP is scared. “The liquor scam should have been discussed but the Opposition lawmakers have been moved out of the House. This is against the principles of democracy. The issue of videography is being used as an excuse to silence Opposition.”

Sisodia was shortly expected to address the House.

AAP and BJP have traded allegations since the CBI raid on Sisodia’s house in connection with the Union territory’s now-scrapped excise policy.

The BJP also staged a protest near the Delhi assembly demanding the resignation of Sisodia. “The party which has been claiming to fight against corruption is corrupt,” said a protestor.

BJP has been protesting against the alleged liquor scam across the Capital over the last week.

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