NEW DELHI: The first day of the Delhi Assembly session began on a stormy note on Monday as the opposition Aam Aadmi Party accused the BJP government of replacing the portraits of BR Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh with the picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Chief Minister’s office, an allegation denied by the ruling regime.
“Speaker Sir, I want to express sadness over the anti-Sikh and anti-Dalit act of removing BR Ambedkar and Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh’s photos from the CM’s office,” said Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi in her opening remarks. The BJP countered the charge, accusing the AAP of trying to divert attention from Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on alleged corruption during its tenure. The party has planned to table the CAG reports in the Assembly.
The Delhi BJP also shared photos of the CMO showing both portraits still on the wall, though probably repositioned.
Speaker Vijender Gupta took exception to Atishi’s remarks, calling them an attempt to use the Assembly for political gains. “On the first day of the session, this behaviour is unacceptable. I strongly condemn it. You will have time to raise issues, but don’t disrupt proceedings,” he said.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also hit back, saying the AAP had “allied with those responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and, thus, had no moral ground to preach”. As Atishi continued arguing, AAP MLAs joined her in raising slogans of “Jai Bhim” and “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Amar Rahe”, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House.
Outside the Assembly, Atishi reiterated her allegations, calling the BJP “anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh”. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the BJP, claiming, “The new BJP government in Delhi has removed Babasaheb’s portrait and replaced it with PM Modi’s. This has hurt the sentiments of crores of Babasaheb’s followers. I request the BJP put up the PM’s photo if you want, but don’t remove Babasaheb’s.”