Atishi Calls for Revocation of Suspended AAP MLAs, Opposes Assembly's 'Authoritarian' Functioning
Senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi Marlena, has issued a strong demand for the immediate revocation of the suspension of four AAP MLAs. In a letter addressed to Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, Atishi criticized what she described as a sustained pattern of silencing opposition voices within the House.
Opposition's Absence Linked to Suspensions and Expulsions
Atishi responded to the Speaker's recent remarks questioning the opposition's absence from Assembly proceedings, labeling them as "misplaced and deeply ironic." She argued that the opposition's non-participation is a direct result of repeated suspensions and expulsions that have made meaningful engagement impossible. Over the past year, she stated, the Assembly has "not been allowed to function as a democratic institution," with opposition MLAs routinely silenced, removed, or suspended on "the slightest provocation."
Case of Four Suspended AAP MLAs Highlighted
The suspension of four AAP MLAs—Sanjiv Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh, and Som Dutt—during the Winter Session was cited as a "glaring example" of what Atishi termed authoritarian functioning. According to her, these MLAs were not only barred from attending the House for the entire session but were also denied entry to Assembly premises and prevented from participating in committee meetings even after the session ended.
Allegations of Bias and Double Standards
Atishi accused the ruling BJP of benefiting from "blatant double standards," claiming that its MLAs disrupted proceedings for two days without facing any disciplinary action. She emphasized that such biased conduct has "never been witnessed in the history of the Delhi Legislative Assembly." This, she argued, undermines the credibility and neutrality of the Assembly's proceedings.
Call for Restoration of Democratic Norms
Asserting the opposition's readiness to join proceedings immediately once the suspension of the four MLAs is revoked, Atishi called the continued exclusion of elected representatives an "assault on democratic norms." She urged the Speaker to take swift action to restore the "dignity, neutrality, and credibility" of the Assembly, emphasizing the need for a functional democratic environment.
The protest held by Atishi and party MLAs on the first day of the Delhi Assembly Budget Session 2026 underscores the ongoing tensions, as the opposition seeks to reclaim its voice in legislative matters.
