New Delhi, Jan 6: The air pollution crisis in the national capital spilled into the Delhi Assembly on Monday, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs staging protests inside and outside the House on the opening day of the Winter Session, wearing gas and industrial-grade masks to draw attention to the worsening air quality.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hit out at the Opposition, accusing AAP of “running away from discussions” on pollution and avoiding accountability for steps taken over the past 10 years. She said the government was prepared for a debate on the issue, but alleged that AAP leaders chose protests over constructive discussion.
Four AAP MLAs — Sanjeev Jha, Som Dutt, Kuldeep Kumar and Jarnail Singh — were suspended for the remaining three days of the Winter Session for disrupting Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s address in the House. The suspension motion was moved by PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and passed by the Assembly.
As the suspended MLAs were marshalled out, Leader of Opposition Atishi walked out in protest. Speaker Vijender Gupta said the AAP legislators had shown contempt of the House and the Lieutenant Governor by causing disturbance without any valid reason.
Addressing the issue later, CM Gupta said the Winter Session was crucial for both the present and future of Delhi and urged legislators from both the ruling party and the Opposition to ensure constructive and meaningful discussions on issues concerning the capital.
AAP leaders, however, alleged that the BJP government was unwilling to discuss pollution despite the deteriorating air quality. Atishi claimed that people in Delhi “cannot breathe” and that hospitals were witnessing a surge in patients suffering from pollution-related ailments. She accused the government of manipulating air quality data and failing to effectively implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Rejecting claims that Delhi’s pollution was largely due to stubble burning in Punjab, Atishi said official data showed a reduction in crop residue burning and questioned the actual sources of pollution. She alleged that pollution levels this year were the highest in a decade.
AAP chief whip Sanjeev Jha questioned the Lieutenant Governor’s earlier claim that pollution could be reduced by 80 per cent and said he was marshalled out when he attempted to seek clarification in the House.
AAP leaders also criticised the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Assembly, calling it a reflection of the BJP government’s failures. AAP MLA Gopal Rai demanded a full-fledged debate on pollution, warning that the party would continue to raise the issue until it was discussed in the House.
Kuldeep Kumar accused the government of suppressing pollution data and targeting the Opposition instead of addressing the crisis, saying such actions would not improve Delhi’s air.
Meanwhile, the House also passed a resolution to prepone Assembly proceedings from 2 pm to 11 am. The Winter Session, which began on Monday, will continue till Thursday.
