Cong decides to boycott silver jubilee event of Delhi Assembly

NEW DELHI: Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken said that the Congress party has decided to 'boycott' the Silver Jubilee event–25 years of the first sitting of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. He regretted that "unfortunately, as always in the last four years in Delhi, politics has prevailed over institution building and decency".

Maken said that winning thrice in a row before moving to Parliament, he was one of the youngest MLAs of Delhi Assembly in 1993. "I also became its Cabinet Minister and Speaker (youngest in the country then)", he said.

Maken said that such historic and democratic celebrations are always "apolitical". He said a 'Celebration Committee', constituting representatives of all political parties, which have been a part of its 25-year history, should have been constituted.

"Sheila Dikshit Ji as ex-CM for 15 out of 25 years in the same Assembly should have been called respectfully by the present CM and/or Speaker at least over phone, if not personally. The same should have been followed for all former Speakers and CMs", he said.

Maken said that the Congress party has decided to boycott the December 15 programme "after discussing with senior leaders, including Sheila Dikshit and former Speakers from the Congress party".

It is a major setback for Delhi Assembly Speaker, as former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani will also not attend the silver jubilee celebrations of the Delhi Assembly on December 15. The senior BJP leader sent a note of regret to Vidhan Sabha speaker Ram Niwas Goel on December 11, Delhi Assembly sources said.

According to sources, Advani had earlier written to the Speaker, confirming that he will be attending the ceremony and address the House. However, BJP members later confirmed that Advani will not be attending Saturday's ceremony. In Advani's absence, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be the chief guest. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will be the guest of honour.