Advani to address assembly’s silver jubilee anniversary

NEW DELHI : Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani will be the chief guest at the silver jubilee celebrations of the reconstituted Delhi assembly on December 15.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will attend the event, apart from other existing and former lawmakers.

“LK Advani, who was the first chairman of the erstwhile Delhi Metropolitan Council, has consented to be the chief guest of the function,” said a statement issued by C Velmurugan, secretary legislative assembly. The Delhi Assembly had its first sitting on December 14, 1993.

Advani, former deputy prime minister, will address a gathering of members of legislative assembly (MLAS), former MLAS and former members of metropolitan council (MMCS), the statement said.

Advani has also served as Union home minister and BJP’S national president.

Assembly speaker Ram Niwas Goel said individual invitations were being sent out to all former members of the metropolitan council and Delhi assembly to attend the function being held at the Legislative Assembly Hall at 5 pm.

“They should attend the function to relive their contribution in the progress and development of Delhi,” Goel said in the statement.

The Delhi Legislative Assembly was first constituted on March 7, 1952, with 48 members and a council of ministers.

On November 1, 1956, the assembly and the council of ministers were abolished and the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, was enacted, which led to the formation the Municipal Corporation.

In September 1966, the assembly was replaced by the Delhi Metropolitan Council.

Advani was chairman of the council (1966-1970) during this period.

The council was finally replaced by the Delhi Legislative Assembly in 1993.