January 22, 2026

Watch Delhi Vidhan Sabha Live: Assembly Proceedings, Old Secretariat History & The LG vs. CM Power Struggle

🔴 Watch Live: Delhi Vidhan Sabha

The Live Stream Hub

Access the official broadcast from the Old Secretariat, Civil Lines.

[PLACEHOLDER FOR YOUTUBE EMBED - DELHI ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL]

🔴 LIVE STATUS: Session-BasedBroadcast Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (During Sessions).Key Sessions: Budget Session (March) & Winter Session (December).Platform: YouTube (Delhi Assembly) & Facebook Live.Key Feature: The high-decibel debates on "Services" and "interference" by the Lieutenant Governor.

Introduction: The "Hybrid" Democracy

(Why Delhi Vidhan Sabha is Unique)

The Delhi Legislative Assembly is unlike any other in India. It represents the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi—a region that is neither a full State nor a Union Territory, but something in between.

With 70 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), this House governs the lives of 30 million people. However, its power is constitutionally clipped. While the Chief Minister and the Assembly can make laws on education, health, and electricity, they have no control over the Police, Public Order, and Land. These three critical subjects remain under the Central Government (via the Lieutenant Governor).

This unique structural tension makes the Delhi Assembly the most volatile in the country. When you tune into the live stream, you are often watching a constitutional battle play out in real-time. Debates here don't just cover potholes and schools; they cover the fundamental question of federalism: "Who really runs Delhi?"

This guide takes you inside the white colonial corridors of the Old Secretariat, explains the controversial Article 239AA, and helps you understand the "Delhi Model" of governance that is debated globally.

🏛️ The Venue: The "Original" Parliament

Before the majestic Sansad Bhavan (the circular building) was inaugurated in 1927, the Old Secretariat in Civil Lines was the seat of power.

1. History (Built in 1912)

  • The Architect: Designed by E. Montague Thomas in 1912, immediately after the capital shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.
  • The First Parliament: From 1913 to 1926, the Imperial Legislative Council (the predecessor to the Indian Parliament) met right here in the central chamber. Stalwarts like Motilal Nehru, Madan Mohan Malaviya, and Vithalbhai Patel debated the British Raj within these very walls.
  • The Conversion: After Independence, it served various purposes until the Delhi Assembly was re-constituted in 1993.

2. Architecture

  • The Look: It is a classic example of early colonial architecture—a long, single-storied creamy-white building with a massive central clock tower.
  • The Chamber: The Assembly Hall is semi-circular (horseshoe-shaped). It is intimate and compact, meaning the distance between the Opposition and the Chief Minister is just a few feet, leading to intense, face-to-face confrontations.
  • The Tunnel: Rumors abound of a secret tunnel connecting the Old Secretariat to the Red Fort (used by the British for escape), though its existence remains a subject of urban legend and partial discovery during renovations.

⚖️ Constitutional Status: The "Half-State" Dilemma

To watch the Delhi Assembly without understanding Article 239AA is like watching cricket without knowing what an LBW is.

1. What is Article 239AA?

Insert into the Constitution by the 69th Amendment Act (1991), this article gave Delhi a Legislative Assembly.

  • The Exception: It states that the Assembly can make laws on all subjects in the State List EXCEPT:
    1. Public Order (Police/Crowd Control)
    2. Police (Crime Investigation)
    3. Land (DDA/Zoning)
  • The Implication: If there is a law and order crisis (like a riot), the Delhi CM cannot order the Police Commissioner. He can only request the LG or the Union Home Minister.

2. The GNCTD Act (The "Services" War)

The biggest fight in recent years has been over "Services" (Bureaucrats).

  • The Conflict: Who controls the IAS officers? The elected CM or the appointed LG?
  • The Status: After multiple Supreme Court battles, the Central Government passed the GNCTD (Amendment) Act, which solidified the LG's control over the transfer and posting of senior officers. This creates frequent friction, often visible during Assembly debates when Ministers complain that officers are "not listening" to them.

📅 The Daily Schedule: Short & Stormy

Delhi Assembly sessions are notoriously short (often just 2-3 days) but incredibly stormy.

11:00 AM: Question Hour

  • The Focus: Unlike the political rhetoric, Question Hour in Delhi is surprisingly focused on civic issues: Sewer lines, Mohalla Clinics, Water supply, and Pension release.
  • The "Petitions Committee": The Delhi Assembly has a very active Petitions Committee. Citizens can file petitions on issues like "Desilting of Drains." The Committee summons top bureaucrats (Chief Secretary, PWD Secretary) and grills them on camera. These hearings are often streamed and are a masterclass in legislative oversight.

12:00 PM: Calling Attention

  • The Drama: This is usually when the political fireworks happen. AAP MLAs often move motions criticizing the Central Government or the LG for "stalling" files (like the Yoga Teacher scheme or CCTV project).
  • The Walkouts: The Opposition (BJP), being small in number (currently less than 10), often stages walkouts or protests in the Well to make their presence felt.

🦁 Political Dynamics: The "62 vs 8" Reality

The composition of the Delhi Assembly is lopsided.

  • The Dominance: Since 2015, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has held a super-majority (winning 67 seats in 2015 and 62 in 2020).
  • The Opposition: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the primary opposition but holds very few seats (single digits). The Congress currently has zero seats.
  • The Dynamic: Because the Opposition is so small, they rely on aggressive tactics (placards, shouting) to be heard. The Speaker frequently has to marshal them out.
  • The "Confidence Motion": The CM frequently moves a "Confidence Motion" not because the government is falling, but to prove that his MLAs are not defecting (accusing the opposition of "Operation Lotus"). This allows for a long debate on the government's stability.

🎟️ Visitor's Guide: Visiting Civil Lines

Watching the debate from the gallery is a unique experience because of the building's history.

The Process:

  1. Location: Old Secretariat, Civil Lines (Near Vidhan Sabha Metro Station - Yellow Line).
  2. Entry: Gate No. 2 is usually for visitors.
  3. Passes: You need a recommendation from an MLA. Since Delhi is a small city-state, MLAs are relatively accessible at their local constituency offices.
  4. The Statue: Don't miss the statue of Vithalbhai Patel (the first Indian Speaker) in the complex.
  5. Restrictions: Strict security. No phones.
  6. Best Time: Reach by 10:30 AM to catch the Question Hour.

🏙️ Decoding the "Triple Government" of Delhi

Viewers often get confused: Who is responsible for the garbage? The CM or the Mayor? Delhi has three layers of government, and they often pass the buck.

  1. Delhi Government (CM/Assembly): Responsible for Education (Schools), Health (Hospitals), Water (DJB), Electricity, and PWD Roads (wider than 60ft).
  2. MCD (Mayor/Councilors): The Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Responsible for Garbage Collection, Sanitation, Parks, and small Colony Roads.
  3. Central Government (LG/DDA/Police): Responsible for Law & Order, Land (DDA Flats), and major Flyovers/Highways.

Tip: If the debate is about "Dirty Streets," it's usually an MCD issue. If it's about "Dirty Water," it's a Delhi Govt issue. If it's about "Crime," it's a Central Govt issue.

To track the capital's pulse:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why is the Delhi Police not under the Chief Minister?

The logic is that Delhi acts as the National Capital. It hosts the Parliament, Embassies, and the Prime Minister. The Centre argues that it cannot risk the security of these vital institutions being controlled by a regional state government. Hence, Police remains under the Union Home Ministry.

Q2. Can the Delhi Assembly pass any law?

No. Apart from the restricted subjects (Land, Police), even for other laws, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) must reserve certain bills for the President's assent if they conflict with central laws or affect the financial powers of the Centre. This often leads to bills (like the Doorstep Delivery of Ration) getting stuck for years.

Q3. Who sits in the "Speaker's Chair"?

The Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. (Currently Ram Niwas Goel). He is known for being strictly procedural and often engages in legal arguments with the bureaucrats regarding the powers of the Assembly Committees.

Q4. What is the "Mohalla Sabha"?

This was a concept pushed by the AAP government to have direct citizen town-halls to decide local spending. While the Assembly passed the Swaraj Bill, the full implementation has faced administrative hurdles due to the LG vs. CM conflict.

Q5. Is there a "Vidhan Parishad" (Upper House) in Delhi?

No. Delhi has a Unicameral legislature. There is only the Vidhan Sabha. There is no Legislative Council.

Stay tuned to Sansad Online. In the chaos of the Capital, we bring you clarity on who is actually governing Delhi.