Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Thursday that he would not permit any discussions “aimed at gaining political advantage” and “wasting the time of the House for self-glorification in the media”.
The statement came after leader of the opposition Atishi wrote to him alleging AAP MLAs were not allowed to raise law and order issues to “shield” central govt’s failure to control crime in Delhi, which was an “insult to democracy”.
In just nine sittings of the eighth assembly, the opposition and the speaker have squabbled several times. Atishi has so far written four letters to Gupta on issues related to assembly proceedings.
The speaker said issues raised under special mention (Rule 280) must be related to matters of urgent public importance, and members should raise questions only on subjects on which the minister can provide answers or take action.
“Considering the nature of the issues raised, the speaker may allow notices on reserved subjects only if they are deemed extremely urgent matters affecting Delhi’s people… The notices submitted by the opposition were merely an attempt to misuse the procedures of the house and create organised disruptions. I will not allow this,” Gupta said.
He said AAP MLAs could have raised concerns about vector-borne diseases, pollution, waterlogging, and sanitation, which were linked to public welfare, but their “primary focus seems to be attracting media attention and disrupting house proceedings”.
Gupta said Delhi Assembly followed the rules prescribed in Rajya Sabha, which stated a ‘special mention’ shouldn’t refer to a matter not falling under govt’s jurisdiction. A ‘special mention’ shouldn’t refer to an issue similar to one that has already been raised, he added.
He expressed concern that the letter meant for him was shared with the media before it officially reached him, and warned the opposition against engaging in actions that “undermine the dignity of the speaker’s office”.
Gupta’s statement led to objection from AAP MLAs. In her letter, Atishi called the rejection of AAP MLAs’ ‘special mention’ on rising crime “shocking”. She said several MLAs submitted issues for discussion, but she received a call Wednesday from the assembly secretariat they were rejected on the ground that “law and order” didn’t fall under Delhi Assembly’s jurisdiction.
“This is an unprecedented and disturbing decision. For the first time in history, we are being told if a rape occurs, bullets are fired, or women face violence, MLAs cannot speak on it. Is this the new definition of democracy?” she said, adding, “If they cannot raise the issue of rising crime, who will?”
Mayank Rawat
