Delhi News: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for refusing to live stream the proceedings of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Privileges Committee when former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appears before it.
AAP’s Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj said the BJP is afraid of the truth and questioned why the government is reluctant to allow live streaming of the proceedings.
He stated that during the AAP government, committee proceedings had been live streamed on several occasions to ensure transparency.
Delhi News: Speaker Has Authority Over Assembly Proceedings says AAP
Addressing a press conference at the AAP headquarters along with MLAs and Kuldeep Kumar, Saurabh Bharadwaj said that all activities conducted within the Assembly premises fall under the authority of the Speaker.
He remarked that whether a gallows is constructed inside the Assembly, whether photographs of great personalities are installed, or whether statues are placed, such decisions come under the jurisdiction of the Assembly Speaker.
Bharadwaj also criticised the BJP, saying that even basic civics taught in Class 7 explains this principle, yet the BJP still fails to understand it.
Kejriwal Summoned Over ‘Phansi Ghar’ Issue
Saurabh Bharadwaj said that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been summoned by the Privileges Committee to explain why the “Phansi Ghar” (gallows) was built inside the Delhi Assembly.
He also referred to the alleged liquor policy case, stating that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had repeatedly summoned Kejriwal in that matter as well.
According to Bharadwaj, Kejriwal had earlier offered to respond to questions in writing, through video conferencing, or even publicly. However, he alleged that the ED insisted on calling him in person.
AAP Demands Live Telecast of Committee Proceedings
Bharadwaj said that Kejriwal has nothing to hide and therefore the questioning should take place openly.
“He has said clearly that if questions are being asked, the entire proceedings should be live streamed so that the whole world can see it,” Bharadwaj said.
However, he alleged that the Assembly has refused to allow live streaming and has incorrectly claimed that such a practice never happened earlier.
He added that during the AAP government, proceedings of several committees were broadcast live.
Committees Were Earlier Live Streamed, Says AAP
Saurabh Bharadwaj pointed out that when the Peace and Harmony Committee was constituted in the Delhi Assembly, its proceedings were live streamed.
He also mentioned that committees such as the Petitions Committee, Privileges Committee, and Questions and References Committee had AAP MLAs like Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar serving as members or chairpersons.
Whenever important issues were discussed, he said, the press was formally invited so that the proceedings could be reported truthfully.
AAP Alleges Attack on Democratic Norms
The AAP leader alleged that the Delhi Assembly has now stopped live streaming and has even barred journalists from attending the proceedings.
He also claimed that entry of some Assembly members has been restricted, which he described as an attack on democratic and constitutional values.
According to Bharadwaj, transparency is essential for maintaining trust in democratic institutions.
Sanjeev Jha Questions ‘Sensitive Issue’ Claim
AAP Legislative Party Chief Whip Sanjeev Jha also criticised the notice issued by the Privileges Committee.
He said the notice described the issue as an “extremely sensitive matter of national importance.”
Jha sarcastically questioned whether constructing a gallows in the Assembly somehow insulted the British and whether that could be considered a sensitive national issue.
He said that the people of Delhi elected their representatives to the Assembly and those elected members also choose the Speaker.
Sanjeev Jha alleged that privilege proceedings are being misused for political purposes.
He said that the gallows in the Assembly had been reconstructed on the orders of the Speaker, while Arvind Kejriwal had only inaugurated it.
“If that is the case, how can a breach of privilege case be filed against him?” he asked.
Jha accused the BJP of trying to malign Kejriwal to hide its own failures in governance.
Kuldeep Kumar Criticises BJP Over Lack of Transparency
Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar said that the BJP often uses constitutional institutions for political purposes. He alleged that after the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Privileges Committee is now being used in a similar manner.
Kuldeep Kumar also claimed that entry of elected MLAs into the Delhi Assembly premises has been restricted. He said every elected representative has the right to enter the Assembly at any time. Kuldeep Kumar alleged that the BJP government has failed to address key civic issues in Delhi.
He said that problems related to electricity, water supply, education, health services, sewerage and infrastructure remain unresolved. According to him, instead of addressing these issues, the BJP is trying to defame Arvind Kejriwal through political tactics.
AAP Demands Live Broadcast of Committee Meeting
On behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party, Kuldeep Kumar demanded that the entire Privileges Committee meeting be broadcast live.
He also urged the Assembly Speaker to ensure that elected MLAs are allowed to enter the Assembly premises and participate in proceedings without restrictions.
