Delhi: Ruckus in MCD house as AAP, BJP councillors stage protest

A stormy session unfolded in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House on Tuesday as councillors from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in heated protests, raising slogans and displaying banners over various issues.

As the House meeting commenced, members from both parties began shouting slogans. AAP councillors chanted “Gundaagardi nahin chalegi” (thuggery will not be tolerated) and “Jai Bhim,” while BJP supporters countered with “Arvind Kejriwal, Sharm Karo” and “Mayor, Sharm Karo.” Protesters also displayed posters inside the House as tensions ran high.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta expelled 12 AAP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Atishi, from the House for the day. The action came after they raised slogans during Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena’s address.

Among the expelled MLAs were Atishi, Gopal Rai, Veer Singh Dhingan, Mukesh Ahlawat, Chaudhary Zubair Ahmed, Anil Jha, Vishesh Ravi, and Jarnail Singh.

Addressing the media, Atishi accused the BJP of disrespecting Dr B.R. Ambedkar by removing his portrait from the Chief Minister’s office. “By taking down Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait, the BJP has exposed its true colours. Does it think Modi can replace Babasaheb?” she questioned at a press conference.

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She further alleged that Ambedkar’s portraits had been removed from both the Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly under the BJP-led administration.

Following their suspension, AAP MLAs staged a protest within the Assembly premises, holding Ambedkar’s portraits and chanting, “Babasaheb ka ye apmaan nahin sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate this insult to Babasaheb).

The political showdown continues to intensify, with both parties trading accusations and mobilizing supporters over the controversy.

(With inputs from PTI)