New Delhi: A stormy session unfolded in the Delhi Assembly today as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi sharply criticized the Union governmentโs flagship healthcare initiative, citing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Simultaneously, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators protested against AAP MLA Jarnail Singh for allegedly violating assembly protocols by sharing live proceedings on social media.
Atishi Slams Government Health Scheme
Leader of Opposition Atishi launched a blistering critique against the BJP-led central government, pointing to an alleged CAG report that highlighted discrepancies in the national health insurance scheme. She claimed the report indicated that 88,000 beneficiaries had received treatment posthumously, sarcastically calling it a โmiracle scheme.โ Further ridiculing the BJP, she added, โSurgical procedures were carried out on two lakh patients even after they were discharged.โ
Her comments were later expunged from official records by Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, who labeled them as โmisleading.โ Additionally, Atishi accused BJP MLA Narendra Yadav of using derogatory language against her, alleging that he likened her to Surpanakha, a mythical character from the Ramayana.
Social Media Controversy Sparks Debate
The proceedings took another contentious turn when BJP members objected to AAP MLA Jarnail Singh allegedly capturing and posting images from the assembly session on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). BJP legislator Deepak Chaudhary questioned, โWhy was a camera brought into the house? Was it just to click pictures?โ
Speaker Vijender Gupta declared the act a โbreach of privilegeโ and instructed Jarnail Singh to remove the post immediately, warning him, โYou have violated the assembly rules. This should not happen again.โ
Defending his actions, Jarnail Singh argued, โWe already broadcast assembly sessions live. If I take a screenshot and share it, why is it an issue?โ He also criticized the absence of key ministers during discussions but later expressed regret over his actions.
BJP Calls for Disciplinary Action
BJP MLA Pravesh Sahib Singh demanded stringent action against Jarnail Singh for violating assembly rules, further intensifying the already heated debate in the house. The session concluded with Speaker Vijender Gupta emphasizing the need for strict adherence to legislative protocols and warning against future violations.
The ongoing friction between AAP and BJP continues to escalate within the Delhi Assembly, with both parties seizing every opportunity to challenge each other, often leading to disorder and disruptions in parliamentary proceedings.
