Democratic functioning stonewalled in Delhi assembly: BJP MLA

New Delhi, Aug 23 (PTI) BJP MLA O P Sharma, who has beensuspended from Delhi assembly for two sessions for allegedlymaking derogatory remarks against AAP legislator Alka Lamba,today claimed in Delhi High Court that democratic functioninghad been "stonewalled" in the assembly. Sharma’s counsel told Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva that dueto the majority enjoyed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), therewas "bias and illegality" in the way he was suspended from theassembly and prescribed procedures were not followed. "The facts smack of clear malafide of the respondent(Legislative Assembly)," his counsel said, adding, "I amshowing the manner in which democratic functioning has beenstonewalled in the Assembly". The counsel claimed that pertinent questions asked by thethree BJP MLA’s were "sidelined" in the assembly. The court however asked the counsel, "First you have toshow what is the extent of judicial intervention in theproceedings of the Legislative Assembly?" The counsel, who read out part of proceedings of theassembly, said she would refer to the facts of the matterfirst and then address this issue. When his lawyer said that all members of Ethics Committeewhich dealt with this matter were members of AAP, the courtasked, "does the rules prescribe that Ethics Committee shouldhave at least a member of the opposition party?" Responding to the query, the counsel said "No. The rulesdoes not prescribe so, but propriety demands this so thatthere are no allegations of bias." During the arguments which would continue tomorrow, Delhigovernment’s counsel told the court that the assembly hadinstructed the government to defend them in the matter ontheir behalf. (More) PTI ABA HMPARC