BJP, Congress may boycott special assembly session

While Delhi government is frantically searching for the new venue to host the special assembly session to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill, the principal opposition BJP and Delhi Congress have almost decided to boycott the session convened outside the designated hall for meetings.

‘BJP is of the view that it should boycott the session outside the assembly but a final decision on the matter will be taken by our elected MLAs in the meeting of the legislative party,’ said Vijay Goel, Delhi BJP chief and MP Rajya Sabha. 

He further added that his party is very clear that the assembly session must be held at the designated hall in the Delhi assembly. ‘In this age of technology people can witness the passing of the Bill on television channels. In a stadium, only a few hundred persons can witness the function but lakhs can witness it on televisions if it is opened for media coverage and broadcast technologies are adopted. The present government is hell bent on destroying all good practices of the democracy for sheer political mileage,’ he alleged. He also termed the Bill illegal and unconstitutional as the procedures were jumped by the government.

Delhi’s leader of opposition Harsh Vardhan said, ‘Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his colleagues are frequently changing their statements about the venue. They are not trustworthy to comment. We are waiting for a written communication from the Vidhan Sabha secretary and decide our strategy thereafter,’ he added. 

He, however, said that BJP will not support any unconstitutional work of the government and oppose it with tooth and nail. 

‘The government’s decision to bypass the central government and lieutenant governor is unconstitutional,’ he added further.

Congress party, which gives outside support to the government, also termed the proposed Bill as unconstitutional. ‘The chief minister neither wants to bring the Bill nor is he interested in eradicating corruption but is just making mockery of the democratic process. Delhi cabinet’s decision to pass the Bill is unconstitutional,’ said Arvinder Singh Lovely, president of Delhi Congress. He also alleged that AAP government is trying to spread anarchy and have completely stalled the development of the city.

Meanwhile, Delhi government has shortlisted three new venues to convene the special session of the house — Chhatrasal Stadium, Thyagaraj Stadium and Burari Ground. According to a senior officer as these venues come under the administrative jurisdiction of Delhi government, one can be finalised as per the convenience of the cabinet. ‘Chhatrasal Stadium is the first in the preference list as it has big halls and suitable to host the event,’ he added. Earlier, Ramlila Ground was rejected due to security concerns of Delhi police while IGI stadium is already booked on 16 February.