The Winter Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday amid dramatic protests and acrimonious exchanges, leading to the suspension of four Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators. The MLAs were suspended for disrupting Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena's address, as the ruling party and opposition clashed over the handling of the capital's severe pollution crisis.
Gas Mask Protest Triggers Suspension
The session took a contentious turn when AAP MLAs, wearing gas masks, staged a protest inside the House to highlight the ongoing air pollution emergency in Delhi. This act of demonstration during the L-G's speech was deemed disruptive by the ruling party. Following the protest, a resolution was moved by PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh for the suspension of the four involved AAP MLAs: Sanjeev Jha, Som Dutt, Kuldeep Kumar, and Jarnail Singh.
The House passed the motion, leading to their suspension for the remaining three days of the ongoing Winter Session. As the marshals escorted the suspended legislators out, Leader of Opposition Atishi staged a walkout in solidarity. Speaker Vijender Gupta condemned the AAP MLAs' actions, stating they showed contempt towards the House and the Lieutenant Governor by “causing disturbance without any valid reason.”
CM Gupta Accuses AAP of Evading Debate
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a sharp critique against the AAP leadership following the incident. She alleged that the opposition party was deliberately “running away from discussions” on the critical issue of pollution. Gupta emphasized that the government was prepared for a constructive debate on the environmental crisis.
“We were ready to have a discussion on pollution, but AAP leaders are running away from discussions on what they did and steps taken in the last ten years, on pollution,” the Chief Minister stated. She underscored the responsibility of both the ruling party and the opposition to ensure the session is used productively to address Delhi's pressing problems.
Gupta called for all legislators to present issues from their constituencies and collaborate on solutions, stating that the session is vital for the capital's present and future. “It is our collective responsibility to meaningfully utilise every moment of the session in the interest of Delhi,” she added.
Opposition Hits Back, House Timing Changed
In response to his suspension, AAP leader Sanjeev Jha defended the protest, framing it as a necessary action to hold authorities accountable. “Questioning pollution has become a crime under the BJP government’s rule. Pollution is the biggest issue for Delhi’s residents. How can asking L-G questions on it in the House be a crime?” Jha questioned.
In a separate administrative decision, the Assembly also passed a resolution, tabled by the PWD Minister, to pre-pone the daily sitting times. The proceedings will now begin at 11 am instead of the earlier 2 pm. The Winter Session, which started on Monday, is scheduled to continue until Thursday.
The day's events underscore the deep political divisions in Delhi, where the issue of toxic air quality, a perennial public health emergency, has become a central battleground between the BJP-led central government apparatus and the opposition AAP.
