Budget Session begins with BJP’s Chouhan exit demand
The Budget session of the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday began on a stormy note with the Opposition BJP launching an all-out attack on chief minister Sheila Dikshit to sack the beleaguered PWD minister, Raj Kumar Chouhan, whom the Lokayukta has recommended to be dropped from the council of ministers.
Stepping up attack on the government, Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Prof. V.K. Malhotra, told reporters that the party has moved a “censure” motion in the House against the PWD minister.
As soon as Delhi Assembly Speaker Dr Yoganand Shastri on Tuesday welcomed Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna to the House, Prof. Malhotra stood up and said a constitutional breakdown has taken place following the PWD minister still holding on his post despite the Lokayukta’s recommendation.
Ignoring Prof. Malhotra’s intervention, Mr Khanna started reading out his inaugural address, which was, however, drowned out amid the din created by the slogan shouting BJP MLAs, who were wearing black badges as a symbol of protest against continuation of Mr Chouhan in the Delhi Cabinet. The BJP MLAs were holding placards when they all trooped in the well of the House.
Ms Dikshit, however, dismissed the protest of BJP MLAs by saying that they wanted to get media attention.
However, the MLAs responded by saying that the “corrupt” minister be sacked.
In an attack on the chief minister, Prof. Malhotra stated: “Ms Dikshit is shielding the corrupt minister, as she herself is anticipating similar indictment by either the CAG or the Lokayukta in future on the Commonwealth Games bungling and to avert such a situation she does not want any action against Mr Chouhan.”
Later, addressing a hurriedly called press conference, Prof. Malhotra said that the party, apart from the “censure” motion, is also exploring all options, including seeking a judicial intervention, to ensure that the PWD minister is dropped from the Delhi Cabinet. In an indication that the Assembly session may witness more confrontation, Prof. Malhotra stated that the party would not relent till Mr Chouhan is removed.
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