By Dr. Gyan Pathak
The 8th Delhi Assembly session witnessed significant turmoil on Tuesday, February 25. The controversial decision to replace Dr. B R Ambedkar’s portrait with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Delhi Chief Minister’s office led to a ruckus and the expulsion of 12 AAP MLAs. This matter is politically sensitive and could negatively affect the BJP’s newly adopted strategy aimed at winning over Dalits, not just in Delhi but nationwide.
Following their victory in 4 of the 12 Vidhan Sabha seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, the BJP’s central leadership recently declared Sant Ravidas Jayanti on February 12, 2025, as a holiday. The Lieutenant Governor had formalized this change from the previous practice of observing it as a ‘restricted holiday.’ The newly appointed Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, seemingly misinterpreted the implications and, in her eagerness to show respect, replaced Dr. B R Ambedkar’s portrait with that of PM Narendra Modi.
The Delhi Assembly convened for three days—February 24, 25, and 27. On the second day, the BJP government, led by CM Rekha Gupta, was set to present 14 CAG reports accusing the previous AAP government of misconduct. However, amidst chaos during LG V K Saxena’s address, AAP MLAs raised the issue concerning the replacement of Dr. B R Ambedkar’s portrait with that of PM Modi right at the onset of the second day.
In reaction, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta expelled the 12 AAP MLAs from the House in retaliation. Ironically, Vijendra Gupta had experienced similar treatment while he was in opposition, being marshalled out of the Assembly when AAP was in power. This action seems to be more of a vengeful strike than a display of political acumen. Among those expelled were former Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi, along with minister Gopal Rai.
Atishi accused the BJP of disrespecting Dr. B R Ambedkar by removing his portrait from the Chief Minister’s office. In a press conference that followed the expulsions, Atishi stated, “The BJP has revealed its true colors by removing Babasaheb Ambedkar’s portrait.”
It is important to note that in the previous elections, AAP had secured all 12 reserved seats for SCs in Delhi until recently, when they lost 4 to the BJP. Recognizing this early trend of shifting Dalit votes toward the BJP, AAP leaders are keen not to miss any opportunity to reclaim lost ground among the Dalit community. Dalit politics also holds significant weight in Punjab, where AAP governs. The BJP’s decision to declare Sant Ravidas Jayanti a holiday is a strategic move to attract Dalit voters, including in Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where Sant Ravidas is well-respected.
The removal of Dr. B R Ambedkar’s portrait from the office of the new BJP Chief Minister provided AAP leaders with a platform to voice their concerns. After being suspended from the Delhi Assembly, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha remarked, “The portrait of Dr. B R Ambedkar was replaced with PM Modi in the CM’s office yesterday. When we questioned the speaker whether PM Modi is more important than Dr. B R Ambedkar, we were suspended for raising the issue. They (BJP) detest Dr. B R Ambedkar, but the nation will not accept this…”
This issue was first raised on February 24, during the initial session, leading to a stormy start. Opposition leader Atishi accused the assembly of removing images of Dr. B R Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Atishi’s comments, made without the Chair’s consent, resulted in an uproar. AAP MLAs began shouting slogans, facing objections from BJP members. The Speaker declared, “The Opposition is behaving irresponsibly. You will have your opportunity. An effort is being made to disrupt the dignity of the House. I urge Opposition members to take their seats and allow the assembly to function. AAP members are clearly here to disturb proceedings. This should not be a venue for political posturing.”
“I want to caution the Opposition against spreading anarchy. They must allow the proceedings to continue smoothly,” he said. Nonetheless, the AAP MLAs continued their protests, resulting in a 15-minute adjournment of the House.
AAP leader Atishi later posted on X, “BJP has displayed its true anti-Dalit and anti-Sikh stance. Images of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh have been removed from the Chief Minister’s Office in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.” She attached two photos: one of herself as CM with Dr. Ambedkar’s images in the background, and the other showing CM Rekha Gupta surrounded by President Draupadi Murmu, Mahatma Gandhi, and PM Narendra Modi.
In another political turn, CM Rekha Gupta tabled only one of the 14 CAG reports. Speaker Vijender Gupta mentioned that the CAG documents are comprehensive and require adequate time for analysis and discussion. The report on the scrapped Liquor Policy claims it resulted in a Rs 2,002 crore loss to the exchequer. The BJP aims to leverage this report to hold the AAP accountable.
Ultimately, time will reveal the extent of political gain the BJP can secure from the CAG reports, and how much AAP can benefit from the controversy surrounding the removal of Dr. Ambedkar’s and Bhagat Singh’s portraits from the office of the BJP Chief Minister. (IPA Service)
