New Delhi, Feb 27 – Leader of Opposition Atishi on Thursday accused the BJP of "crossing all limits of dictatorship" after AAP MLAs were allegedly prevented from entering the Delhi Assembly premises following their suspension.
The controversy erupted when 21 AAP legislators, including Atishi, were suspended for three days on Tuesday by Speaker Vijender Gupta. Their suspension followed protests during Lt. Governor V K Saxena's inaugural address to the newly constituted House, where they raised slogans against the alleged removal of B R Ambedkar's portrait from the Chief Minister's office.
Expressing outrage over the development, Atishi took to social media platform X, stating, "AAP MLAs were suspended from the House for three days for raising slogans of 'Jai Bhim'. And today, they are not even being allowed to enter the Vidhan Sabha premises. This has never happened in the history of the Delhi Legislative Assembly."
The political turmoil coincided with the Delhi government's tabling of a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the liquor policy, adding fuel to the ongoing clash between AAP and the BJP.
Notably, Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan was the only AAP legislator spared from suspension as he was absent during the protest. The motion to suspend the MLAs was moved by BJP minister Parvesh Verma.
As soon as the LG commenced his speech, AAP lawmakers began shouting slogans over the alleged removal of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh’s portraits from the CM’s office, prompting Speaker Gupta to order their expulsion.
In retaliation, the suspended MLAs staged a demonstration within the assembly complex, holding up portraits of Ambedkar in defiance. Atishi fiercely criticized the BJP, alleging an attempt to erase Ambedkar's legacy.
"The BJP has shown its true colours by removing Babasaheb Ambedkar's portrait. Does it believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi can replace Babasaheb?" she questioned.
The incident has further escalated political tensions between AAP and the BJP in Delhi, with both parties standing firm in their positions.