The Delhi Assembly on Thursday witnessed a massive uproar after BJP MLA and Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma took a dig at Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi, as she interrupted him during the Question Hour. Verma, was replying a question on the pilgrimage schemes and the financial support provided by the government for various religious trips when he was interrupted by Atishi, who is also the Leader of Opposition.
“Bhai”, an otherwise unremarkable word made by Verma presumably to Atishi, led to a 13-minute long disruption and heated exchanges between the ruling BJP and the AAP during the House proceeding on Thursday. After uproar by the opposition party MLAs, the PWD minister asked the opposition leaders, “What did I say? How is it wrong to say ‘bhai’?”
“Atishiji is my sister, not my brother,” Verma added after a few more exchanges with AAP MLAs. The Assembly proceedings then went back to the normal.
Opposition AAP MLAs reacted angrily to the comment. Atishi, a former Chief Minister, stood up to counter
Verma’s charge.
As the minister tried to resume his answer, Atishi and other AAP MLAs continue their loud protests. After repeated failed attempts to resume his speech, a seemingly exasperated Verma said, “Kahan se laaye ho bhai?”
Atishi also stood up in protest again, saying the language used by Verma was “unparliamentary”.
Other AAP MLAs too joined in and accused the minister of showing disrespect. The Speaker asked AAP members what was the offending word as Verma only said ‘bhai’ which is not objectionable. “I don’t understand the issue.”
As the uproar continued, Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta marshalled out tow opposition party MLAs Vishesh Ravi and Kuldeep Kumar from the House and later one more MLA, Mukesh Ahlawat’ was also suspended. However, after request from the AAP delegation, suspension of both the MLAs was revoked.
AAP MLA Ravi, who was suspended for opposing Verma, said that he has a long history of making such remarks. One side he made objectionable remark while the other side Speaker suspended Opposition party legislatures.
This kind of biasness encourages ruling party people to make objectionable comments.
“This is unacceptable that we are being punished instead of those who are using such words. We will keep showing solidarity for the LoP who is not just a woman but a former CM of the national capital,” Verma said.
Ruling party legislatures said the opposition was deliberately creating disruption since the question was on Chhath Puja. Some BJP leaders then raised slogans of “Chhathi maiyya ki jai.”
