Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta accused Atishi, an AAP leader and Leader of Opposition, of spreading misinformation regarding the suspension of four party legislators. The suspended legislators, including Sanjeev Jha, Som Dutt, Kuldeep Kumar, and Jarnail Singh, were barred from proceedings due to deliberate disruption, clarified the Speaker. Atishi’s claim that the suspension was due to wearing masks was deemed factually incorrect by the Speaker, emphasizing that the action was solely for disrupting proceedings.
The Speaker emphasized that the decision to suspend the legislators aimed to maintain the House’s authority, order, and dignity, following the rules of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Referring the matter to the Committee of Privileges under Rule 82, the Speaker highlighted that the action was within the rule’s scope. The Committee, under Rule 221, is empowered to investigate breaches of privileges or contempt and make suitable recommendations based on evidence and circumstances.
Additionally, the Speaker noted that Atishi’s attempt to discuss “Pollution in Delhi” before the scheduled time was seen as a deliberate effort to disrupt proceedings. Despite the issue being on the agenda for discussion on January 7, Atishi’s premature initiation of the topic was viewed as an intentional disruption to the House’s orderly conduct of business.
