Delhi Marshal Controversy: Why Is AAP And BJP Engaged In War Of Words Over Cabinet Note?

Delhi CM Atishi said that an emergency cabinet meeting and a resolution was signed to regularise the jobs of bus marshals, but added that the BJP MLAs are not ready to go to the L-G's house.

Dramatic scenes unfolded outside the office of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Saturday as Chief Minister Atishi, accompanied by the AAP and BJP MLAs, arrived at the LG's office to submit a note on the issue of reinstatement of bus marshals and get his approval on it.

Atishi said an emergency cabinet meeting was called and a resolution was passed to regularise bus marshal in the national capital. She however accused the BJP of betraying the bus marshal saying that the BJP is not ready to ask the LG to pass the cabinet note. 

Meanwhile, several AAP MLAs started a protest outside Delhi LG VK Saxena's residence, after which Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained. 

Here is all you need to know about the Delhi marshal controversy: 

What Is The Delhi Marshal Controversy?

Atishi-led AAP government and the BJP have exchanged verbal volleys in the recent past over the issue of the reinstatement of former bus marshals. 

The two-day Delhi Assembly session last month saw a heated discussion between the AAP and the opposition over the termination of bus marshals, with both sides finally supporting a resolution to restore their jobs. 

The assembly had passed a resolution that both the AAP and BJP MLAs will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 11 am on October 3 and not return till the reinstatement of the marshals is ensured. However, no such meeting took place.    

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta had said that the BJP MLAs will meet the chief minister on October 5 and request her to make a cabinet note and get it approved by the cabinet. 

Meanwhile, the former bus marshals have also staged a protest near the lieutenant governor's residence, demanding reinstatement of their jobs. 

What Has Atishi Said?

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that an emergency cabinet meeting and a resolution was signed to regularise the jobs of bus marshals, but added that the BJP MLAs are not ready to go to the L-G's house.

Hitting out at the BJP, Atishi said, "Today, the BJP got exposed that because our entire cabinet was there and we made it clear that those decisions need to be taken by us, we will take it and the BJP should ask the LG to make decisions on matters which come under him - BJP is not ready for that, they are doing politics over the issue."

"BJP demanded a Cabinet proposal to be passed in the meeting. We called an emergency Cabinet meeting and signed the resolution that was passed in Delhi Assembly to regularise the jobs of bus marshals. We have a provided a copy to BJP as well, but they were exposed," Atishi said.

"First, BJP was not ready to go to L-G House. Once they did, they did not say anything to L-G about the passing of the proposal. Delhi government took the Cabinet decision to making bus marshals jobs permanent, now the ball is in BJP's court," the CM added.

What Has The BJP Said?

BJP MLA Vijender Gupta said that CM Atishi has given the cabinet proposal on the issue of reinstatement of bus marshals to the LG and it has been accepted by VK Saxena.

"The CM (Atishi) has the papers, she has given a proposal, which the L-G has accepted..." BJP MLA Vijender Gupta said. 

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, AAP leader Dilip Pandey and party leaders, along with bus marshals, protested outside L-G's residence on Saturday.