Remark row: AAP for MLA expulsion

Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday turned up heat on BJP MLA O P Sharma and demanded his expulsion from the Delhi Assembly, as woman lawmakers protested his sexist remark against party’s Chandni Chowk MLA Alka Lamba.

Six women MLAs, all belonging to the AAP, said they will abstain from the House proceedings until his ouster.

Sharma faces suspension until Thursday for using derogatory language against Lama during a discussion on night shelters, according to Delhi Assembly Speaker Ramniwas Goel.

“I received a representation from my women colleagues. All they have to say is it has to be taken to its logical end; otherwise the message will go wrong. It is shameful that the Assembly has such elected MLAs. Does BJP want such a nation where women are mistreated?

BJP should clarify its stand whether it is with Sharma or will it take any action against him,” Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said at a press conference, which was also addressed by his party’s women MLAs, including Lamba.

“We have requested the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister that until O P Sharma remains in the Assembly, we will not attend the proceedings,” AAP’s Palam MLA Bhavna Gaur said. Earlier in the day, she led AAP women’s wing protest outside the BJP MLA’s residence, demanding his removal from the party.

“If BJP has some sense of respect for women, then it should immediately suspend him,” she added.
Lamba told Deccan Herald that the party has urged the Delhi Assembly Speaker to recommend Sharma’s case to the ethics committee, which has powers to recommend disqualification of a member from the House if found guilty of “serious breach of conduct.”

She has been at loggerheads with Sharma ever since a supporter of the BJP lawmaker allegedly attacked her while she was carrying out an anti-drug drive in her constituency early this year. The two political adversaries then had a heated exchange, as Lamba claimed that her assailant was hiding in the shop owned by Sharma.

“They called me a woman who roams the city streets all night. Tell me, will any parent ever want their children to get into politics or Assembly?” she said. Her party colleague and Deputy Speaker Bandana Kumari was more scathing. She called it an attack on all of Delhi women, including those who work “late night at call centres.”

“He is a repeat offender. This is not the first time ethics committee will hear a case against him,” she said, adding that the BJP MLA also used “offensive language” against the Speaker. 

Party sources claim, Sharma’s case is “fit for disqualification.” However, their assessment says that the ethics committee may take at least two months’ time to arrive at a decision.

Pushing for his ouster, Rohtas Nagar MLA Sarita Singh said, “Our government was formed on the promise of women’s safety. We will not attend the Assembly until his expulsion from the House. His place is only one: Tihar.”