AAP, BJP spar over Ambedkar portrait, CAG report; Atishi, 20 other MLAs suspended

Atishi defends AAP's excise policy, blames CBI, ED, LG for revenue loss

- AIMAN FATIMA

NEW DELHI: A major political showdown unfolded in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday as MLAs from the Opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a heated protest amid uproar and chaos in the House, resulting in the suspension of Leader of Opposition Atishi and 20 other AAP MLAs.

The protest erupted over allegations that the BJP had replaced a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in key government offices. The House descended into turmoil over the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the excise policy. The incident sparked an intense verbal clash between AAP and BJP members, with Atishi accusing the BJP of disrespecting the Dalit icon's legacy.

The drama escalated when AAP legislators raised slogans in the Assembly, demanding the reinstatement of Dr Ambedkar's portrait.

The suspension of 21 AAP MLAs, including Atishi, was for three days for disrupting Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena's inaugural address to the newly constituted House.

The proposal for their suspension was moved by Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma and passed through a voice vote in the House. The suspended MLAs will not be allowed to participate in Assembly proceedings on February 27 and 28. Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly session has been extended by two days till March 3.