Row in Delhi Assembly over BJP MLA using ‘objectionable’ word against Amanatullah Khan
The incident happened when BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma criticised some of the Delhi government officials for using foul language. When AAP’s Okhla MLA Khan opposed this, Sharma made some remarks against him, using an “objectionable” word.
A high political drama ensued in the Delhi Assembly on Monday after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Om Prakash Sharma used an “objectionable” word against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Amanatullah Khan during a discussion on water shortage in the national capital.
Referring the matter to the privilege committee, speaker Ram Niwas Goel expunged the word used by Sharma from the assembly proceedings.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was not present in the House on Monday, later in a tweet accused the BJP of dividing India on communal lines.
The BJP’s Vishwas Nagar MLA, Sharma was speaking on water shortage in his constituency when he criticised some of the Delhi government officials for using foul language. When AAP’s Okhla MLA Khan opposed this, Sharma made some remarks against him, using an “objectionable” word.
AAP legislators trooped into the Well of the House and demanded action against Sharma. They termed his remarks as an “insult of the House”. Following the ruckus over the issue, the House was adjourned for 30 minutes.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also criticised Sharma, saying his remarks should not be tolerated and demanded action against him.
“Those in power at the Centre and in opposition in Delhi have a mentality of dividing the country. This country belongs to all and not just a particular religion. This is not just the question of a single MLA, but a case of a particular mentality, which is being imposed on everyone,” Sisodia said.
Reacting, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, “Not only the chief minister with his tweets but his deputy CM by his statement in the Vidhan Sabha have tried to communalise a non-issue.”
When the House met again, AAP’s Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha proposed to refer the matter to the privilege committee.
While referring the matter to the privilege committee, speaker Goel said the word used by the BJP MLA is “objectionable”. He asked the committee to submit its report as soon as possible.
Earlier on Monday, leader of opposition Vijender Gupta was marshalled out of the assembly after he, along with other BJP MLAs, demanded a National Register for Citizens for the national capital too.