The ongoing tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over bus marshals in Delhi has intensified. On Saturday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena met with the protesting bus marshals who are demanding reinstatement.
In response, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticised the BJP, accusing them of politicising the issue. She emphasised that the AAP government has taken all the necessary steps, and now it is the BJP’s responsibility to regularise the marshals and issue them joining letters.
The meeting between LG Saxena and the bus marshals was highlighted by the Delhi BJP, which posted about it on social media. They claimed that the meeting was arranged by the BJP's Delhi State President, Virendra Sachdeva, and assured the marshals that their concerns would be addressed positively. The BJP stated that they were not interested in politicising humanitarian issues, which was why they facilitated a direct meeting with the LG.
Reacting to the situation, Chief Minister Atishi spoke to the media, highlighting that the issue of the bus marshals falls under service matters, which are within the LG's purview. She explained that BJP MLAs had sought a meeting with her, during which she clarified that the reinstatement of bus marshals is a matter that must be handled by the LG.
Atishi accused the BJP of using the situation for political gains instead of taking concrete actions. She also pointed out that the Delhi cabinet had already done its part by passing a resolution to regularise the bus marshals, and now it is up to the BJP to ensure that the LG takes the necessary steps.
Atishi further expressed her frustration with the BJP's unwillingness to push the LG for action. She emphasised that the cabinet had passed an emergency resolution to regularise the bus marshals and civil defence volunteers, but despite this, the BJP MLAs refused to ask the LG to approve the cabinet note. She labelled this as a betrayal against the bus marshals, stating that all required actions by the cabinet have already been taken.
Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also spoke on the matter, indicating that BJP's Delhi Chief Vijender Gupta had assured them that he would ensure the rest of the process would be handled by the LG.
Bharadwaj stated that, despite these assurances, BJP leaders did not take any action to push the LG forward. He also raised concerns about the safety of Chief Minister Atishi, pointing out that it is inappropriate to expect her to meet the LG alone, given security protocols and the risks involved.
Meanwhile, the bus marshals have continued their protest, demanding their reinstatement after their services were terminated by LG Saxena in October of the previous year. The marshals, who have been a vital part of ensuring safety on Delhi’s buses, have been without work since then.
The termination of their services has led to protests, with AAP leaders, including Saurabh Bharadwaj, joining the demonstrations in support of the marshals. Bharadwaj and other AAP members were detained by the police during a protest held on Thursday at Chandgi Ram Akhara in Delhi.
The issue of bus marshals has been ongoing for months, with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi previously writing to LG VK Saxena, urging him to reinstate the marshals. In her letter, Atishi highlighted the importance of the bus marshal scheme, which was introduced eight years ago to enhance safety on Delhi’s public buses.
She pointed out that the marshals were primarily deployed through the pool of Civil Defence volunteers of the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The sudden stoppage of their salaries and termination of their duties, on what she described as "frivolous grounds," has left the scheme in jeopardy.
Atishi’s letter also underscored the success of the bus marshal scheme, which was implemented to address safety concerns, especially for women passengers. The abrupt suspension of the scheme, she noted, was both surprising and unjustified, considering its crucial role in public safety. She called on the LG to reconsider his decision and reinstate the marshals to ensure the continued safety of Delhi’s bus commuters.
The bus marshal scheme was initially introduced to improve the safety and security of passengers on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses. The marshals, who are often deployed from the ranks of Civil Defence volunteers, have played an essential role in ensuring safety, particularly for women and vulnerable commuters. Their presence on buses has been a reassuring factor for many passengers, and the sudden termination of their services has sparked widespread concern and criticism.
The clash between the AAP and BJP over the issue of reinstating the marshals reflects the larger political tensions between the Delhi government and the LG’s office.
The AAP has frequently accused the LG, who is appointed by the central government, of obstructing the functioning of the Delhi government. This ongoing friction has affected various initiatives and policies, with the bus marshal issue being the latest in a series of confrontations.
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