Delhi Speaker Orders Suspended MLAs to Vacate Assembly Premises Amid Political Row
New Delhi, March 4, 2025: The political tussle in the Delhi Assembly escalated further as Speaker Vijender Gupta issued a firm directive stating that suspended MLAs must vacate the Assembly premises entirely. This decision comes after 21 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs were suspended on February 27 and 28 for disrupting proceedings while protesting the alleged removal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s portrait from the Chief Minister’s Office.
The controversy deepened after the suspended MLAs attempted to access areas within the Assembly premises, including the lawns and the office of the Leader of Opposition. In response, Speaker Gupta cited Rule 277, clarifying that suspension does not merely mean barring members from participating in Assembly proceedings but also extends to complete removal from all Assembly-controlled spaces. The Speaker emphasized that no suspended member has the right to remain on the premises once marshaled out.
Leader of the Opposition Atishi, however, challenged this interpretation, arguing that certain areas should remain accessible to suspended members. She contended that denying access to even non-legislative spaces was an excessive measure aimed at suppressing opposition voices. This disagreement has further fueled tensions between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power at the Centre and has been accused by AAP leaders of interfering in Delhi’s governance.
AAP’s Delhi State Convener, Gopal Rai, strongly criticized the Speaker’s ruling, accusing the BJP of running the Delhi Assembly in a “dictatorial manner” similar to its approach in Parliament. He questioned the fairness of Assembly proceedings, highlighting alleged disparities in the time given to BJP and AAP legislators to speak. “Restricting elected representatives from entering the Assembly premises is undemocratic and a blatant misuse of power,” Rai said.
The situation took another turn when AAP MLA Jarnail Singh was reprimanded for posting a photograph from inside the Assembly, in which he questioned the absence of ministers during an ongoing session. The BJP condemned his actions as a breach of Assembly privilege, prompting Speaker Gupta to issue a warning and reiterate that photography within the House is strictly prohibited.
These developments underscore the growing friction within the Delhi Assembly as both parties remain locked in a power struggle. With the Speaker standing firm on his directive and AAP leaders vowing to challenge the decision, the standoff is expected to intensify in the coming days. The broader implications of this dispute could shape the political dynamics of Delhi as the state gears up for the next round of elections.