The first day of the two-day special session called by the Delhi Assembly had little to do with the working of three BJP-led Municipal Corporations as the session discussed issues related to lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung for his alleged role in supporting the ration mafia in Delhi and “attack” on an AAP councillors by BJP leaders at the MCD session held on Thursday.
The House also passed a resolution to constitute a nine-member committee to probe the allegations against the l-G.
In the first half of the session, AAP MlA from Burari, Sanjeev Jha raised the matter alleging that the l-G allegedly bypassed rules to restore the suspended licence of a ration shop holder.
The l-G had earlier asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to investigate the issue after the shopkeeper made a complaint against the AAP MlA and alleged that the ration material of his shop was forcefully sold. “The shop owner concerned used to sell poor quality ration. After the locals complained, the shop’s licence was cancelled after I intervened. But the shop owner approached the l-G, and his licence was restored. It is a clear case of corruption on part of the l-G,” Jha said.
“The shop owner now openly claims he spent Rs 12 lakh to get back his licence. Surprisingly, in his letter, the l-G recommended action against me,” Jha said. The adjournment session moved by leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta was also rejected.
After discussion and debate the lG’s role in the ration shop, the final resolution passed by the Delhi Vidhan Sabha on Thursday was moved by MlA Saurabh Bhardwaj to set-up a special enquiry committee to look into the allegations of irregularities in the allotment of a ration shop at Burari.
The Committee has nine members, including Vishesh Ravi, Somnath Bharti, Amanatullah Khan, Rajesh Gupta, Rajendra Pal Gautam, Madan lal, Nitin Tyagi, Narayan Dutt Sharma and Bhawna Gaur. BJP MlA Jagdish Pradhan was replaced with Bhawna Gaur following his disapproval to be a part of the committee.
It also added that the Committee is free to decide its own procedure to fulfill the mandate given to it by the House. The Committee is free to enlarge the scope of the investigation, if needed, subject to approval of Speaker. Moreover, the committee shall exercise all powers and immunities available to the existing Committees of the legislative Assembly and that the committee shall submit its report to Speaker before the commencement of the fifth Session of the sixth legislative Assembly.
The second half of the session was dominated by AAP MlAs calling the attack on AAP councillor at MCD session a “cheap political tactic” to suppress a Dalit. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the act “shameful”. “Utterly shameful. BJP is a party of gundas (goons). Rakesh is Dalit. BJP is assaulting Dalits all over India in a systematic way,” Kejriwal tweeted.
A resolution was passed by Delhi Assembly which was moved by AAP MlA Ajay Dutt condemning the attack on AAP councillor “without any provocation” and directed Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma to take strictest action against the accused BJP councillors.
Condemning the attack, AAP MlA Rakhi Birla said, “The party has been against the Dalits for a long time and everyone knows that. We condemn this attack on AAP councilor.”
Others MlAs, including Madan lal and Sandeep Kumar, also condemned the attacked.
AAP councillor Rakesh Kumar, a Dalit, had come to attend the joint session of MCD sporting a party cap. Some BJP councillors raised objections and asked him to remove the cap.
Reports said initially Kumar removed his cap but later wore it again which triggered a verbal duel between some BJP councillors and him. later the BJP councillors allegedly slapped Kumar several times before others intervened in the matter. Kumar then filed a complaint with North MCD Mayor Sanjeev Nayyar who assured him of taking appropriate action.