AAP MLAs in Delhi wore gas masks during Assembly session to protest severe air pollution, leading to their suspension
Winter Session Disrupted by AAP MLAs in New Delhi
New Delhi: On the opening day of the winter session on Monday, lieutenant governor VK Saxena began his address. Several AAP MLAs, including Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, and Jarnail Singh, tried to interrupt the proceedings. Speaker Vijender Gupta had them marshalled out of the House. The legislators wanted to discuss air pollution. AAP MLAs, led by opposition leader Atishi, protested in the Assembly complex while wearing industrial-grade masks.
After the address, public works department (PWD) minister Parvesh Sahib Singh proposed a resolution to suspend four AAP lawmakers for the rest of the session. The House approved the resolution. Gupta stated that the MLAs showed contempt for the House and the lieutenant governor by causing a disturbance without a valid reason.
In response to the suspension, Jha said, “When the LG addressed the Assembly, it was our responsibility as the Opposition to ask where the promised 80% pollution reduction formula is, why pollution has become so severe, and why December turned out to be the most polluted month.”
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva reacted to the protest. He called AAP MLAs wearing gas masks inside the Assembly “political theatre.” He claimed that pollution levels worsened during the 11 years of the AAP government under Arvind Kejriwal due to a failure to address local pollution sources. He added that the party was now protesting to gain public sympathy.
Summary of Events
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Day | Lieutenant governor VK Saxena began his address. |
| Protest | AAP MLAs attempted to interrupt and were removed. |
| Resolution | Four AAP lawmakers were suspended for the session. |
| Jha’s Statement | He questioned pollution reduction efforts. |
| BJP Reaction | Sachdeva called the protest “political theatre.” |
