On Monday (February 24, 2025), Rohini MLA Vijender Gupta was elected as the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. His nomination for the post was confirmed on Thursday (February 20, 2025).
Mr. Gupta, who is serving his third term as the MLA from Rohini, was previously the Leader of the Opposition (LoP). He had recently accused the AAP government of blocking 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports from being presented in the Assembly. After being nominated, he had assured that these pending reports would be tabled before the House as his first priority.
CM Rekha Gupta and opposition leaders react
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta congratulated Mr. Gupta on his new role and expressed confidence in his leadership. She said, “I have full faith this Assembly will run smoothly under your guidance.”
She also acknowledged the difficulties Mr. Gupta faced earlier, stating, “As the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), you have faced several issues. You were marshalled out several times and faced difficult behaviour, but I am sure that you will run this house smoothly.”
However, a controversy erupted when AAP MLA Atishi, the new Leader of the Opposition, accused the BJP government of removing photos of B.R. Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from the Chief Minister’s Office after the elections. She said, “This shows the anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh attitude of the BJP.”
During the AAP government’s rule, the photos of Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh were placed in all major government offices in Delhi.
Responding to Atishi’s remarks, Speaker Vijender Gupta warned that the opposition must follow proper conduct in the House. He said, “If the opposition doesn’t behave appropriately, I will be forced to give you a first warning, and if you are not seated, we will not take it lightly.”
He urged all MLAs to maintain peace and not disrupt the first Assembly session.
The BJP currently holds 48 seats in the newly elected eighth Delhi Assembly, while the AAP has 22 MLAs. The Speaker is elected by the members of the House.
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