The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs protested outside the Delhi Assembly, calling it a “funeral procession of democracy” to oppose the suspension of party legislators by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leader of Opposition Atishi accused the BJP of stifling democratic debate in the Assembly by suspending opposition members. She emphasized the importance of the Assembly as a platform for both ruling and opposition parties to voice their opinions.
Atishi criticized the BJP for not allowing the opposition to speak in the House and viewed the suspension of AAP MLAs as an assault on democratic values. She highlighted that silencing the opposition and expelling MLAs for raising public concerns signifies an attack on democracy. The AAP legislative party protested against what they perceived as the BJP’s efforts to silence dissent within the Assembly and demanded the revocation of the suspensions.
AAP MLA Imran Hussain condemned the suspension of party members, stating that it hampers the democratic functioning of the House. He expressed concern over the exclusion of opposition members during important proceedings like budget presentations. The AAP also took to social media to criticize the BJP, accusing it of governing Delhi in a dictatorial manner and using the police to suppress protests.
Atishi vowed to continue the party’s fight to safeguard democratic institutions and expose what they labeled as the BJP’s authoritarian governance. The suspension of four AAP MLAs, initiated during the Winter Session in January for disrupting House proceedings, remains in effect due to the House not being prorogued after the previous sitting.
