Extended Winter Session of Delhi Assembly likely to witness ruckus

The Delhi Assembly's session starting Thursday is expected to be a stormy one, with BJP and AAP legislators planning to attack each other on a wide range of issues, including controversial demand to strip Rajiv Gandhi of Bharat Ratna. The one-day session is the second part of the ongoing Winter Session that had begun on December 20. A government official said Urban Development Minister Satyendra Jain is likely to table the report of the fifth finance commission in the House on Wednesday.

Opposition BJP legislators have planned to raise the issue of a resolution involving a ruling party MLA's demand for stripping former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of Bharat Ratna. The leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta told reporters that BJP MLAs will strongly protest against deletion of the demand asking the Centre to take back Bharat Ratna from Rajiv Gandhi from the proposal approved by the House in the last meeting.

"It is against the sanctity and dignity of the House to tamper with official records. House member MS Sirsa has already submitted a notice to the Secretary, Legislative Assembly under Rule-245 and Section 7 (2) (c) to remove the Speaker. The Opposition will demand that the notice is taken up for necessary action," he said. The ruling party has said the demand of its MLA was an amendment to a resolution which was not approved by the House.

(With inputs from agencies.)