Chilli attack: BJP, Congress decry special session

New Delhi: The BJP and the Congress were on the same page on Sunday in criticising the AAP government’s decision to convene a special session to discuss chilli powder attack on chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying that the AAP leader should have instead used the occasion to discuss critical issues concerning the national capital.

Commenting on the day-long session which will be held on Monday, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken said it was unfortunate that the  session is being called to disscuss the chilli power attack on Mr Kejriwal.

He said that the CM  could  not find time to discuss important issues like  the life-threatening rising pollution levels,  the illegal sealing drive, the spread of dengue and the worsening law and order situation in the  Capital, as these issues have a direct impact on the  lives of the people living in the city.

In a letter addressed to Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, Mr  Maken demanded that the Speaker should not give permission to hold the special sessions to discuss personal matters, instead such sessions should be called to discuss pressing issues concerning the common man.

Mr Maken said that he himself had been the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly, and had always maintained the dignity of the House, and never allowed the session to be called to disscuss personal matters.

He said that during the 15-year rule of the Congress in Delhi, the special session of the Assembly was called just thrice, to disscuss issues like converting commercial vehicles into CNG fuel, sealing in residential areas and to protest against the reduction of powers of the Delhi government.

Mr Maken noted in his letter that the government, in its over three and a half years rule in Delhi, has  convened 15  special sessions of the Assembly, and none of the sessions discussed any issue affecting the people.