Session ends on a stormy note on Day 1

The first day of the Delhi Assembly Winter Session began and ended on a st-ormy note as AAP legislators vociferously opposed the BJP demand to pay homage to late VHP leader Ashok Singhal. The House also had a heated debate on the subject of “growing intolerance” in the country. The session began by paying homage to the victims of Paris terror attacks and this was followed by Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta’s demand for a tribute to Singhal.

The session turned stormy as the BJP demanded the tabling of the Jan Lokpal Bill. The government must table the anti-graft bill in the House, said Mr Gupta, who heads a three-member BJP group.

The Speaker said it was the first day of the Winter Session and the legislation could always be tabled la-ter. The AAP MLAs cornered the BJP MLAs over their demand for homage to Singhal.

Amid charges and counter-charges from both sides, Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal responded to Mr Gupta’s demand, saying that paying homage to Singhal was not possible as he did not hold any constitutional post. Later Singhal’s name was removed from official records.