BJP leader suspended for derogatory remarks directed at Alka Lamba

Sharma was suspended till Thursday by Speaker Ram Niwas Goel even though AAP’s women legislators demanded his suspension for the complete Winter session.

This is the first time in the AAP regime that the Assembly Speaker had to adjourn the House twice because leaders of the ruling party protested against the Opposition members. 

On Tuesday, five women MLAs of the ruling party trooped into the Well of House and repeatedly demanded action against BJP MLA Sharma as the latter used filthy languages against Lamba.

Shouting slogans, AAP’s women MLAs also demanded an apology from Sharma or leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta over the comments, threatening that they would not come to the House if their demands were not met.

Speaker Ram Niwas Goel expressed anguish over Sharma’s remarks and repeatedly changed the language used by Sharma for Lamba.

Though Sharma’s remarks could not be clearly heard, the Speaker quoted Sharma as having termed Lamba “a woman who roams in the night”. 

The Speaker expressed his regret over the incident and suspended Sharma till Thursday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his shock over the comments and hoped the BJP would take action against him. “Am shocked at language used by O P Sharma, BJP MLA, against a lady MLA. 2 days back also, he abused a lady MLA. Hope BJP will act against him,” Kejriwal tweeted.

Sharma made the remarks during a discussion on homeless people and night shelters in the city, initiated through a calling attention motion by Vijender Gupta.

Gupta said this year, 402 deaths of homeless persons have been reported till date, under Kashmiri Gate police station area in the city, while the number was 221 last year and alleged that the AAP government was not serious about this matter. Lamba intervened in the discussion saying that the deaths were not due to cold but due to “use of drugs”.

This prompted Sharma to counter Alka and make a personal derogatory comment against her.

AAP MLAs immediately voiced their protest over the remarks and rushed into the Well shouting slogans and demanding his expulsion.