Chaos Erupts Outside Delhi Assembly as Atishi’s Car is Stopped

 A dramatic scene unfolded outside the Delhi Assembly as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi’s car was halted near its premises. Atishi, along with other opposition leaders, termed the incident as deliberate political targeting.

The chaos follows the suspension of 21 AAP MLAs, including Atishi, on Tuesday for disrupting Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s inaugural address by raising slogans. The opposition members had protested against the alleged removal of portraits of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office.

Political Showdown in the Assembly

Reacting to the suspensions, Atishi accused the ruling BJP of having an issue with Ambedkar’s legacy. “When we raised ‘Jai Bheem’ slogans inside the House, we were marshalled out. But when BJP MLAs raised ‘Modi, Modi’ slogans, no action was taken. Does this mean BJP considers PM Modi bigger than BR Ambedkar?” she questioned.

In a strongly-worded letter to Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, Atishi called the suspension of AAP MLAs an injustice and an attack on democratic principles. “Democracy thrives on fairness and equality, but what has happened in the past few days is an assault on both,” she wrote.

Atishi further claimed that disciplinary measures were imposed selectively against opposition members while ruling party MLAs were spared. She highlighted that during the Lieutenant Governor’s address on February 25, BJP members chanted ‘Modi-Modi’ while opposition MLAs raised ‘Jai Bheem’ slogans. Despite this, only opposition members faced suspension.

Protest and Restrictions

The controversy deepened when the suspended AAP MLAs attempted to stage a peaceful demonstration near the Mahatma Gandhi statue within the Assembly premises. However, they were allegedly stopped 200 meters before the Assembly gate and prevented from entering the premises.

Atishi described the move as an “insult” to both the MLAs and the public mandate they represent. “Denying us entry to protest is another attempt to silence the opposition,” she said.

AAP Takes Matter to the President

Following the escalating political standoff, AAP MLAs announced their intention to take the issue to President Droupadi Murmu. The party views the suspensions and restrictions as part of a broader strategy to suppress opposition voices within the Assembly.

“You are the guardian of this Assembly. It is your duty to ensure justice for all MLAs, whether they belong to the ruling party or the opposition,” Atishi urged in her letter to the Speaker.

In response, Speaker Vijender Gupta defended the suspensions and urged Atishi to ensure that her colleagues engage in “constructive” dialogue rather than disruptive tactics. “The people of Delhi deserve a legislature that addresses their concerns through dignified debate and deliberation,” he wrote back.

With tensions running high, the confrontation between AAP and the BJP-led Assembly leadership shows no signs of de-escalating, setting the stage for further political battles in Delhi’s corridors of power.