Delhi Legislative Assembly, several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including prominent leaders such as Atishi and Gopal Rai, were suspended and subsequently barred from entering the assembly premises. This development has sparked a heated debate over legislative procedures, democratic norms, and the underlying political dynamics in the capital.
The controversy began on February 25, 2025, during the assembly session when Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena was delivering his inaugural address. A group of AAP MLAs interrupted the proceedings by raising slogans, particularly “Jai Bhim,” to protest the alleged removal of portraits of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh from the Chief Minister’s office. Speaker Vijender Gupta responded to the disruption by suspending 12 AAP legislators for the day, citing their disorderly conduct. The suspended members included Leader of Opposition Atishi, Gopal Rai, Veer Singh Dhingan, Mukesh Ahlawat, Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed, Anil Jha, Vishesh Ravi, and Jarnail Singh.
Following their suspension, the AAP MLAs staged a protest within the assembly premises, holding portraits of Dr. Ambedkar and chanting slogans condemning the perceived insult to his legacy. Atishi addressed the media, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration of disrespecting Dr. Ambedkar by replacing his portrait with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in official spaces. She questioned, “Does the BJP believe Modi can replace Babasaheb?”
The situation intensified on February 27, when the suspended AAP MLAs were prevented from entering the assembly premises altogether. Police officials, acting on directives from Speaker Gupta, erected barricades to enforce the ban. Atishi described the move as “undemocratic and unconstitutional,” emphasizing that such an action was unprecedented in the history of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha. She stated, “To date, this has never happened in the history of the country… Even in Parliament, there are protests under the Gandhi statue even after being suspended… After all, how can we be stopped?”
The BJP defended the Speaker’s decision, asserting that maintaining order during official proceedings is paramount. BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay remarked, “The House will run by law. If they (the opposition) create ruckus and anarchy there (in the House), then the Speaker will take a decision. The decision taken by the Speaker is final.”
The backdrop to this turmoil includes the tabling of 14 reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the assembly, which allegedly highlight financial irregularities during the previous AAP government. The BJP has accused AAP of attempting to divert attention from these reports through disruptive tactics. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva stated, “We had promised the people of Delhi during the elections that whoever has committed corruption will have to answer. Today, we hope that after the speech of L-G, when the CAG report will be tabled, all their black deeds will come before the people of Delhi.”
In response, AAP leaders have welcomed the release of the CAG reports, expressing confidence that the findings will vindicate their administration. Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai commented, “We welcome the CAG report. Their (BJP) lies will be exposed in front of everyone. We want that the report be tabled in the Assembly, and we will discuss over it.”
The removal of Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait has become a focal point of contention. AAP alleges that the BJP-led administration replaced the portraits of Dr. Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh with that of Prime Minister Modi in the Chief Minister’s office and other official spaces. Atishi questioned, “The BJP has shown its true colours by removing Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait. Does it believe Modi can replace Babasaheb?”
The BJP has refuted these claims, presenting photographs of the Chief Minister’s office displaying the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, the President, and the Prime Minister. They argue that AAP’s allegations are baseless and are intended to divert attention from the critical discussions surrounding the CAG reports.
This series of events underscores the escalating political friction within the Delhi Legislative Assembly. The suspension and barring of elected representatives raise questions about democratic practices, the balance of power, and the role of dissent in legislative bodies. As both parties continue to exchange accusations, the focus shifts to the implications of these actions on governance and public trust in democratic institutions.
The unfolding situation in Delhi serves as a microcosm of the broader political dynamics in India, highlighting the challenges of maintaining decorum, respecting democratic norms, and ensuring that legislative bodies function effectively amidst deep-seated partisan divisions.
