New Delhi witnessed a noisy uproar on the very first day of the winter session of the Delhi Assembly over the escalating pollution issue. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs raised concerns about the worsening air quality in the capital, which led to the Assembly Speaker ordering marshals to remove all AAP legislators from the house. Four MLAs were suspended for three days during this incident.
AAP sharply criticised the BJP government for the action taken. Chief Whip of the AAP legislative party, Sanjeev Jha, questioned how raising this critical issue before the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in the Assembly became an offence. He expressed that the government became so uncomfortable with the voice of the people that it resorted to suspending four MLAs.
Sanjeev Jha recalled that earlier the LG had said that 80 percent of pollution could be reduced if the Delhi government so desired. He pointed out that it has been ten months since the BJP government took charge, but no explanation has been offered about the implementation of this formula. He highlighted that for the last three months, Delhi residents have been facing severe pollution, with children and elderly patients frequently visiting hospitals for respiratory illnesses.
Experts have noted that December recorded the highest pollution levels in 12 years. Doctors reported a significant number of patients requiring ventilator support, with several fatalities. In such circumstances, Jha said, it is the opposition’s duty to seek answers from the government. He alleged that neither has the current government met the LG nor presented any concrete policy on pollution control. When AAP MLAs stood up to question the LG during his address, they were immediately removed by marshals. The suspended MLAs include Sanjeev Jha, Jarnail Singh from Tilak Nagar, Kuldeep Kumar from Kondli, and Som Datt from Sadar Bazar.
Tilak Nagar MLA Jarnail Singh accused the government of fearing questions and claimed the Assembly Speaker has become a shield for the government instead of ensuring accountability. He said that if the government had acted on pollution control, it would have confidently answered these questions. Hospitals like AIIMS and Safdarjung are overwhelmed with patients suffering from pollution-related diseases. AAP also accused the government of breaking its promises.
Sanjeev Jha stated that promises like providing Rs 2,500 to women, affordable gas cylinders, resolving waterlogging, and cleaning the Yamuna have not materialised on the ground. He added that thermal power plants were closed during the earlier AAP regime, but after the BJP government took over, several thermal plants have resumed operations in Delhi-NCR, increasing pollution levels.
AAP leaders affirmed that despite being removed from the Assembly, they will continue to raise the voices of Delhi residents. The party strongly condemned the BJP government’s actions, asserting that questioning on such a serious issue as pollution is a democratic right and that they will not back down.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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