Delhi Assembly ruckus: House passes resolution against disruption of L-G’s speech by BJP MLAs

Earlier in the day, as Saxena commenced his address in the House on the first day of the Budget session, BJP MLAs raised slogans demanding Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation over alleged corruption in the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

AAP MLAs opposed the BJP and raised slogans against it over the Adani issue.

While three BJP MLAs — Jitendra Mahajan, OP Sharma and Anil Bajpai — were marshalled out on Speaker Ram Niwas Goel’s directions, the rest walked out. Later, the LG continued his speech.

Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj put forward a resolution terming the disruption by BJP legislators as contempt of the House, which was passed unanimously and sent to the Ethics Committee.

Kejriwal said the BJP MLAs were wrong to interrupt the LG’s address.

“To obstruct the speech of the LG and create a nuisance as he speaks is against the rules of the House and is a contempt of the House. Therefore the members of the House have passed a proposal and have demanded that this issue be taken to an appropriate committee. The committee will look into the issue and take action on the matter,” he said. Bharadwaj, while presenting the resolution, cited Schedule 5 of the Vidhan Sabha, which outlines the House’s responsibility in the event of its contempt by members during the Lieutenant Governor’s address.

According to Schedule 5, any member who interrupts, raises slogans, questions, walks out of the House, or talks about the point of order during, before or after the LG’s address in the House will be considered in contempt of the House. The House can settle this problem by passing a resolution in this regard.

Bharadwaj emphasised that this matter concerns the sanctity of the House, and despite differences with the LG, traditions must be upheld. He urged all members to respect the decorum of the House and maintain the integrity of the institution.

Later, while talking to reporters, he said, “We have differences with the Lieutenant Governor. But these differences exist because we want the LG to maintain the dignity and constitutional supremacy of democracy. The Delhi government tells the LG that he should act as per the constitution and follow the law.”

“While passing the resolution, the house could have ruled on this case even today. This is the right of the House. But the House has sent this matter to the Ethics Committee so that the Ethics Committee after examining this matter gives its recommendation to the House,” Bharadwaj said.

In a statement, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri claimed the speaker’s action to marshall out three BJP MLAs was also a clear violation of the rules.

When the President or the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor is addressing the House, he is also presiding over the House, he contended.

“In that situation, the powers of the Speaker also come to the President, Governor, or Lieutenant Governor. Therefore, according to Rule-14, during that time the right to expel a member from the House or to take any action is not with the Speaker but with the President, Governor, or Lieutenant Governor only. Therefore, this action taken by the speaker is completely against the rules. The decision to expel BJP MLAs is dictatorial,” Bidhuri said.