The BJP attacked the city government in the Delhi Assembly on the second day of Monsoon Session on Thursday for the alleged supply of contaminated water in the city. BJP MLAs forced repeated adjournments following which they were eventually suspended from the House.
As soon as the proceedings began, Leader of the Opposition V.K. Malhotra alleged that a woman from Naraina died on Tuesday at the DDU Hospital due to consumption of contaminated water.
BJP MLAs sought resignation of chief minister Sheila Dikshit over the death. Ms Dikshit denied the allegation saying the woman did not die due to any water-borne disease.
Speaker Yoganand Shastri adjourned the House for half an hour at around 2.13 pm.
The House reassembled but BJP MLAs continued protest demanding a debate forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 3 pm.
When the House reassembled at 3.30 pm, all BJP MLAs trooped into the well shouting slogans against the government and seeking resignation of the chief minister. When the MLAs did not take their seats after requests, the Speaker called the marshals and expelled them.
“Ms Dikshit, who is the chief minister and the chairperson of the DJB since last 15 years, does not want to face a discussion on this issue. Contaminated water is being supplied in many areas. Ms Dikshit has completely failed on the water front in her rule of 15 years,” said senior BJP MLA Harshvardhan.
After the BJP MLAs were expelled, Ms Dikshit said, “It is important to clarify that the lady who succumbed in the DDU Hospital has not died due to contaminated water. She was not a resident of Delhi and was residing besides railway lines. If contaminated water was being supplied to that area then how come only one woman was affected. We do not want to conceal anything and this issue should not be politicised. If the House wants then we will submit the hospital’s report on the death of the woman.”