The Ethics Committee of the Delhi Assembly has decided to recommend the expulsion of BJP MLA OP Sharma for making sexist comments to a woman legislator from the ruling AAP, reports The Indian Express.
Sharma, the MLA from Viswas Nagar, was recently caught on camera beating up an activist from the Communist Party of India at Delhi's Patiala House Court when sedition-accused JNU Students' Union president Kanhaiya Kumar made his first appearance in court. Sharma was arrested for this act on Thursday and released on bail.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel had suspended Sharma during the winter session last November for using sexist and derogatory language against AAP MLA Alka Lamba in the Assembly. The Speaker had also referred the matter to the Ethics Committee of the Assembly.
Sources in the Delhi Assembly said that said the committee's recommendation of expulsion is likely to be tabled during the Budget Session next month, when the House will take a final decision on Sharma's conduct and punishment.
Sharma is apparently a habitual offender in terms of bad conduct, and is never apologetic about his misbehaviour, said sources within the Assembly.
"The Committee in its several meetings had given Sharma an opportunity to apologise to Lamba, but he refused to do so. Since Sharma refused to apologise to Lamba, the committee has concluded that his conduct is unbecoming," said a source. "In view of this, the committee will recommend that the BJP legislator be expelled from the Delhi Assembly."
Reacting to the news, Sharma said this was an attack on democracy since the Ethics Committee is composed solely of members of the AAP. He was supported by Vijender Gupta, leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, who questioned the leaking of this confidential document.
"It cannot be placed in public domain until and unless it has been put before the House. This is a serious breach of Privilege of the Vidhan Sabha," Gupta said. Gupta added that the BJP will seek judicial intervention in this matter.