AAP boycotts House, seeks revocation of MLAs’ suspension

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionaries on Monday staged a protest outside the Delhi Assembly, demanding revocation of the suspension of four party MLAs — Sanjeev Jha, Jarnail Singh, Kuldeep Kumar and Som Dutt.The MLAs were suspended during the last sitting of the winter session, and the action remains in force as the session has not been prorogued. In protest, AAP legislators boycotted the House proceedings on Monday. AAP MLA Gopal Rai said, “The boycott will continue on Tuesday as well if the suspension is not withdrawn.”Leader of Opposition Atishi and others who were part of the protest were stopped from entering the assembly, leading to a heated argument with the police. Atishi said whenever the BJP-led govt does not have answers, it tries to crush the voice of the opposition in the arrogance of power. “There is an attempt to divert attention from key issues such as electricity, water supply, the condition of hospitals and the suffering caused by the recent Palam fire incident,” she said.AAP has 22 MLAs in the 70-member assembly, where the BJP holds 48 seats.Atishi said on Saturday, a delegation of AAP MLAs met speaker Vijender Gupta and requested that a solution should be found, but till now, no solution has been provided by BJP or the Speaker.Responding to the boycott, speaker Vijender Gupta said AAP MLAs chose not to participate in the proceedings, calling it “against the dignity of the House”.“Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh and Som Dutt are currently under suspension. As the session has not been prorogued, the suspension continues and they cannot attend the House. However, no AAP MLA participated in the proceedings on Monday,” Gupta said.“Protesting outside instead of engaging in discussion is contrary to established parliamentary traditions. It is deeply regrettable that ever since the serious issue of the desecration of the Sikh Gurus was raised in the last session, the leader of the Opposition has not attended the House and continues to remain absent. Failing to participate in the proceedings of the House and obstructing the democratic process in this manner is akin to hijacking constitutional institutions,” Gupta said.