Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday was spotted holding the feet of Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta in an attempt to convince him and other legislators of the party to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena over reinstatement of the bus marshals. The incident took place when Chief Minister Atishi called a cabinet meeting in front of the BJP MLAs and bus marshals to discuss about their appointment, but the BJP reportedly refused to meet the LG.
The AAP Minister can be heard saying in the video clip that the Delhi CM was sitting inside Vijender Gupta’s car along with civil defence personnel. The AAP legislators were asking him not to run away and go for the promised meeting with the LG with the cabinet note. When he did not agree several AAP legislators including Bharadwaj bent down to touch his feet to convince him.
BJP विधायकों और बस मार्शलों के सामने ही CM @AtishiAAP जी ने बुलाई Cabinet Meeting और नियुक्ति को लेकर Cabinet Note पास होने के बाद भी BJP विधायकों ने अपने ही LG से मिलने को किया इनकार… pic.twitter.com/LO7dhRS7Ha
— Gulab Singh Yadav (@GulabMatiala) October 5, 2024
This came after a row began over the reinstatement of the marshals, who were sacked in November 2023. The Delhi Assembly had passed a resolution last month, demanding that the bus marshals be reinstated in the national capital. It was agreed that the AAP and the BJP would visit the LG on October 3 to request swift action. However, the BJP MLAs did not uphold their commitment and the meeting was not convened as promised.
Bus marshals staged a protest near Delhi LG’s office at Chandgi Ram Akhara, where a few of the AAP legislators who had joined them, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, were detained.
LoP Vijender Gupta had said that the AAP was doing drama over the issue and refuted the latter’s claims that the LG was sent a proposal to reinstate the bus marshals. “No Cabinet note has been prepared, and no Cabinet meeting has been called for the reinstatement of the marshals,” Gupta said.
AAP had accused the BJP of taking u-turns on its promises. The AAP legislators also urged the LG to conduct the meeting and resolve the bus marshals’ issue.
“Delhi Govt’s honourable Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj held the feet of Vijendra Gupta and said if you become great by holding my feet, then I will hold your feet, let’s go to LG sahab today itself and I will get you an immediate job of a bus marshal today itself,” AAP leader Sanjeev Jha said in a post on X. He also shared pictures of Bharadwaj holding the BJP leaders feet.
दिल्ली सरकार के माननीय स्वास्थ्य मंत्री @Saurabh_MLAgk जी ने विजेंद्र गुप्ता जी के पैर पकड़ लिए और कहा अगर मेरे पैर पकड़ने से आप बड़े होते हैं तो मैं आपका पैर पकड़ता हूं आज ही चलिए LG साहब के पास और आज ही बस मार्शल की तुरंत नौकरी दिलाते है। pic.twitter.com/SQ0IFiVT5s
— Sanjeev Jha (@Sanjeev_aap) October 5, 2024
LG Saxena Meets Bus Marshals
Shortly after, BJP Delhi shared pictures of a meeting between LG Saxena and the bus marshals and said that the latter had assured them to consider their requests.
“The LG met with a delegation of Bus Marshals today and assured them that their request would be given positive consideration. The meeting was arranged by State President Virendra Sachdeva,” BJP posted on X.
“The Delhi BJP does not believe in politicizing humanitarian causes, which is why we facilitated a direct meeting,” it added.
The @LtGovDelhi met with a delegation of Bus Marshals today and assured them that their request would be given positive consideration. The meeting was arranged by State President Shri @Virend_Sachdeva.
The Delhi BJP does not believe in politicizing humanitarian causes, which is… pic.twitter.com/GRdYIiOVRt
— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) October 5, 2024