New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of violating constitutional norms by preventing its suspended legislators from accessing the Delhi Assembly premises. The controversy erupted after multiple AAP leaders, including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi and MLA Kuldeep Kumar, claimed they were forcibly barred from entering sections of the Assembly complex, despite no formal directive restricting their movement.
AAP Challenges Restrictions on Suspended MLAs
Atishi asserted that Assembly protocols do not prohibit suspended lawmakers from entering shared spaces such as the Gandhi statue area or the Leader of Oppositionโs chamber. โNowhere in the rule book does it state that we cannot be present in these sections. Yet, we were denied entry without any lawful justification,โ she said.
AAP Delhi Convenor Gopal Rai echoed her concerns, accusing the BJP of attempting to control the legislature in an undemocratic manner. โThis is happening in Parliament as wellโBJP leaders speak uninterrupted for 40 minutes, while AAP lawmakers are silenced within four. Now, they are even stopping elected representatives from entering the Assembly complex,โ he wrote on social media.
Kuldeep Kumar, who was suspended from the session for the day, condemned the decision to eject him from the entire Assembly premises. โThis is unprecedented. A suspension from the House now means total expulsion from the building. Whatโs next? Will they order us to leave Delhi altogether?โ he questioned.
BJP Defends the Decision
The BJP has yet to issue an official statement, but party insiders defended the move, arguing that a suspended legislatorโs presence in the Assembly compound could disturb proceedings. โSuspension applies to maintaining discipline across the premises. If any member disrupts order, appropriate steps must be taken,โ a senior BJP leader said on condition of anonymity.
Legal Battle on the Horizon?
This latest standoff has further escalated tensions between AAP and BJP, with the former accusing the ruling party of stifling dissent and the latter insisting that legislative procedures must be upheld. Legal analysts suggest that if AAP decides to challenge the restriction, the matter may ultimately be resolved in court.
