Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj was seen holding the feet of Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta on Saturday in a bid to persuade him and other BJP legislators to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena regarding the reinstatement of bus marshals. This event occurred during a cabinet meeting called by Chief Minister Atishi in front of the BJP MLAs and bus marshals to discuss their appointments, but the BJP reportedly declined to meet with the LG.
In a video clip, Bharadwaj can be heard stating that the Delhi Chief Minister was inside Gupta’s car with civil defense personnel. AAP legislators urged Gupta not to leave and to attend the promised meeting with the LG alongside the cabinet note. When he refused, several AAP legislators, including Bharadwaj, bent down to touch his feet in an attempt to convince him.
Watch:
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
The incident arose amid a dispute over the reinstatement of the bus marshals, who were dismissed in November 2023. Last month, the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution calling for their reinstatement in the national capital. It was agreed that both the AAP and the BJP would approach the LG on October 3 to request prompt action. However, the BJP MLAs did not fulfill their commitment, and the meeting did not occur as promised.
Bus marshals protested near Delhi LG’s office at Chandgi Ram Akhara, where some AAP legislators, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, were detained.
Gupta accused the AAP of staging a drama over the issue, denying claims that a proposal had been sent to the LG for the reinstatement of the bus marshals. “No Cabinet note has been prepared, and no Cabinet meeting has been called for the reinstatement of the marshals,” he asserted.
The AAP criticized the BJP for its perceived reversal on promises, while AAP legislators called on the LG to address the bus marshals’ concerns. AAP leader Sanjeev Jha commented on X, “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.” He also shared images of Bharadwaj holding Gupta’s 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 with Bus Marshals
Shortly after, the BJP shared images of a meeting between LG Saxena and the bus marshals, stating that the LG had assured them their requests would be positively considered. “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,” the BJP posted on X.
“The Delhi BJP does not believe in politicizing humanitarian causes, which is why we facilitated a direct meeting,” they added.