Jethmalani insists on making statement today

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 26. The former Union Law Minister, Mr. Ram Jethmalani, today said he would insist that the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mr. Krishan Kant, allow him to make an ``amended'' statement - about the events leading to his resignation from the Union Cabinet - tomorrow; in case the Chairman's permission was not forthcoming, he would ``withdraw'' his statement and release it outside the House.

Earlier, Mr. Jethmalani's much-awaited personal explanation in the House was deferred by Mr. Krishan Kant.

Making the announcement in the post-lunch session, the Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Najma Heptulla, said Mr. Krishan Kant wanted time to authenticate some of the attachments with the statement, submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat only this morning. She admitted that the explanation had been listed in today's ``list of business'', usually not altered without consulting the leaders of all parties.

However, it was not possible to take it up because the House Secretariat got the copy only at 9.45 a.m. and the Chairman had ``no time'' to satisfy himself that the attached documents were authentic.

It is learnt that the statement, including the documents, runs into 80 to 90 pages. The official ``objection'' seems to be that the ``documents'' are official Government papers, and the question is whether Mr. Jethmalani, who is no longer a Minister, can be allowed to place official papers on the table in the House.

The second objection was that there were references to ``some dignitaries'' in Mr. Jethmalani's explanation, and this too was against the rules. Apparently, these references are to the Attorney-General, Mr. Soli Sorabjee.

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