A major political standoff erupted in Delhi on Thursday as Leader of Opposition Atishi alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs were being barred from entering the Assembly complex on the instructions of Speaker Vijender Gupta.
The controversy stems from the suspension of AAP legislators on Tuesday for three days after they disrupted proceedings by shouting slogans during Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s address.
When Atishi confronted the police about their refusal to allow entry, officials cited a directive from the Speaker. According to AAP MLAs, barricades had been set up by the Delhi Police to physically prevent them from accessing the Assembly premises.
Condemning the move, Atishi called it an act of “open dictatorship,” questioning how elected representatives could be denied access to the complex. “This has never happened before in the country’s history. Suspending MLAs from the House is one thing, but how can they be stopped from even entering the Assembly premises? How can the Leader of Opposition be prevented from visiting their office?” she asked.
Demanding an official explanation, Atishi insisted that the police provide a written order justifying their action. “They don’t even have a written order—just barricades,” she claimed. The police maintained that they were acting on the Speaker’s directive.
In response, the AAP legislators staged a demonstration outside the complex, raising slogans and displaying placards in protest. Atishi accused the BJP-led government of undermining democracy, stating, “Since the BJP came to power in Delhi, democracy has been stifled. AAP’s elected MLAs are being denied access to the Assembly complex. This attitude of the BJP government, the Speaker, and the police is authoritarian and a blatant attack on democracy.”
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra defended the suspension, arguing that the opposition should engage in meaningful discussions about issues affecting Delhi rather than disrupting proceedings. “No legislative assembly in the country can function amid such behavior. For a decade, Delhi’s issues haven’t been properly discussed. We will not allow any disruptions that prevent these discussions from taking place. The Speaker made the right decision by suspending these MLAs. AAP should now focus on constructive debate and maintaining decorum in the House,” Mishra stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Minister Parvesh Verma supported the action, emphasizing that the AAP MLAs had violated the rules by interrupting the L-G’s address. “If they continue to break the law like this, it sets a bad precedent,” he remarked.
The BJP government has announced plans to present all 14 pending Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports related to the previous AAP administration during the Assembly session. However, none of these reports were scheduled for discussion today.
The suspension of the AAP MLAs came after they caused an uproar over the CAG’s findings regarding the now-defunct liquor policy.
