leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta talks about the myriad constitutional violations made by the AAP Government in its one-year in office, his experience in Delhi Assembly
In the last one year, how has your experience been in the Delhi AssemblyIJ
The experience has been pathetic. The AAP Government has always tried to take advantage of its overpowering number. It never followed the due procedure of Assembly. It used marshals for an Opposition that has only three MlAs which was not required. In short, it has no idea about the set procedure and it has flouted rules in the last three Assembly sessions. The AAP Government has issued more than 50 notifications ‘by order and in the name of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, without seeking the mandatory approval of the competent authority i.e. the lt-Governor, as prescribed in extant rules. This Government just continues to violate procedures set by law. Due to which governance has suffered.
Do you think Sheila Dikshit was a better Chief MinisterIJ
If we look at the development aspect, Sheila Dikshit was a better CM than Arvind Kejriwal. The Congress, as we all know, has been involved in corruption, but barring that aspect if we compare the two Governments, I think Shiela Dikshit had a vision and has come up with more developmental projects. We can’t count a single developmental project of AAP Government.
There are three MlAs Opposition as opposed to 67 on the ruling side in the Assembly. Do you think it would have been easier for you to deal with ruling-AAP if you were more in numberIJ
Definitely. I think it is all a number game. Had we been a bigger number in the opposition, we would have been able to put much more pressure on the AAP Government. Since we are three in number, we have our restrictions. With a bigger opposition, there is scope for more debate and discussion.
The AAP Government has flouted rules one by one in Delhi Assembly. What do you have to say on thatIJ
The AAP Government has failed to work in tandem with the Central Government for the benefit of the people of Delhi. In fact, it has always looked for ways to create an atmosphere of direct animosity with the Union Government for narrow political gains. Instead of focusing on people centric issues, CM Kejriwal is more interested in talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Assembly. Moreover, the ethics committee of the Delhi Assembly comprises only of AAP people, so where is the balanceIJ Only if there is someone from the Opposition within the committee can there be a balanced decision making. Other than that, the Chair has been very biased. He has always taken decisions that are favourable to the Government. It is completely wrong. 13 Bills were introduced and passed in the legislative Assembly in the second session having repugnancy’s or being money bills for which prior approval of the Central Government was mandated but never taken.
On several occasions, Delhi Chief Minister has used foul language against Prime Minister and BJP cabinet minister. What is your take on thatIJ
The aim of the Chief Minister appears to sully the image of the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues .On several accounts, tshe Chief Minister of Delhi has used unparliamentarily and foul language against the Hon’ble Prime Minister. He has also made several attempts to initiate a malicious campaign against the senior Ministers in the Centre to mask their own failures.