Point, counterpoint in Delhi House

BJP's three MLAs display placards, stage walkouts

BJP lawmakers alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government had degraded the Constitution and its functionaries, as the Delhi Assembly passed resolution  against the Ministry of Home Affairs notification on distribution of powers between the Lieutenant Governor’s office and Delhi Chief Minister’s office.

Shortly after the day’s sitting began, the three BJP MLAs stood up with placards accusing the government of ignoring the water crisis. They also staged a walkout over the issue. Later in the day, they staged another walkout over the resolution proposed by the AAP government.

The BJP also raised the issue of the AAP government’s alleged attempt to restrict the media freedom. The first short-lived walk drew laughter and jibes from rest of the MLAs, all of whom are from the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.
 
“The AAP has become arrogant and it is for everyone to see,” said Vijender Gupta, leader of the BJP Legislature Party, during the debate on the resolution that declared the central government’s order curtailing the powers of the Delhi government as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

DeputReturning the attack, the BJP MLA from Rohini said it was the AAP government that has triggered the breakdown of the Constitution.

“More than 99 per cent of the appointments are made by the Delhi government through Delhi Subordinate Service Selection Board, and they are saying that with the MHA notification they will no longer have a say in appointment of even peons and stenographers,” he said.

“The dispute is only about 30-35 officers who come under the Union Territory cadre,” Gupta said, alleging that AAP leaders were making misleading statements. The MHA notification states that the LG has “primacy” in appointment and transfer of officers who belong to central services.

Gupta said, “I fail to understand why they are bringing up issues related to civic bodies in the discussion on the MHA’s notification. MCD is an autonomous body based on panchayati raj. It is the third tier of governance in Delhi,” he added.

The BJP legislators also tried to corner the Arvind Kejriwal-led government on issues such as promise of free public Wi-Fi, regularisation of contractual jobs, Jan Lokpal Bill and setting up of new schools.