Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Delhi, who were suspended from the remainder of the Budget session of the Delhi Assembly, have moved to the Delhi High Court to contest the decision. The suspension came after a series of interruptions during the Budget session, particularly during the speech of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) highlighting the achievements of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government.
The matter was brought before the bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora on Monday, where Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta represented the BJP MLAs. Mehta argued that the suspension of opposition MLAs is unjust and infringes upon their right to participate in the proceedings. He further contended that the motion to suspend the MLAs is unconstitutional and violates the established rules of the assembly.
The budget session of the Delhi assembly commenced on February 15, 2024, with the LG presenting the policies, programs, and accomplishments of the AAP-led Delhi government in various sectors including education, health, transport, social welfare, and infrastructure. However, disruptions ensued as BJP MLA and former leader of opposition Vijender Gupta, along with other BJP MLAs, repeatedly interrupted the LG’s speech while he highlighted the government’s achievements.
In response to the suspension of BJP MLAs from the Delhi legislative assembly, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj stated that interrupting the LG’s address constituted a serious breach of conduct and could be perceived as contempt of the house. Drawing parallels with the suspension of members in the Rajya Sabha, Bharadwaj emphasized the importance of upholding decorum in legislative assemblies and enforcing disciplinary measures when necessary.
The decision to suspend the BJP MLAs has sparked a legal battle, with the MLAs seeking relief from the Delhi High Court. The court has agreed to urgently hear the matter, signaling a potential resolution to the ongoing dispute between the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP in the Delhi Assembly. The outcome of the court proceedings is awaited with anticipation as it could have significant implications for the functioning of the assembly and the conduct of its members in future sessions.
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