The Hindu : Showcause notice issued to Brar, Lakshman Singh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 10, 2003

National

National

Showcause notice issued to Brar, Lakshman Singh

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 9. The Congress today confirmed that it had taken action against Jagmeet Brar, MP, by relieving him of his position as the whip of the party in the Lok Sabha. It also served a showcause notice on Mr. Brar and the other errant member, Lakshman Singh.

Briefing newspersons the party spokesperson, Jaipal Reddy, said "such MPs who cannot function within the ambit of party discipline would have to face action."

The issue also generated considerable heat in the Lok Sabha, with the Samata Party MPs supported by Vijay Kumar Malhotra of the BJP charging the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi and Shivraj Patil with committing a "grave breach of privilege" by reprimanding the two members for having done their duty as parliamentarians.

Trouble started at the beginning of question hour with Prabhunath Singh, Raghunath Jha, Renu Kumari and Beatrix D'souza rushing to the well of the House demanding that they be allowed to move a notice of breach of privilege against the Leader of the Opposition.

They were supported by Mr. Malhotra who quoted "Practice and Procedure of Parliament" by Kaul and Shakhder to support his case against the two Congress leaders. Mr. Malhotra found vocal support from Prabhunath Singh who charged both Ms. Gandhi and Mr. Patil with intimidating MPs and thus contravene the privilege of the MPs. He urged the Speaker to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee.

The Speaker repeatedly urged the members to resume their seats and said that he had not received any complaints from the MPs. A stray remark by Raghuvansh Prasad of the RJD provoked a furore with the members belonging to the Samata Party and the RJD almost coming to blows. Timely intervention by senior members averted a scuffle.

Agitated members stormed the well of the House menacingly but senior members including the former Prime Minister,

Chandra Shekhar, persuaded them to go back.

Mr. Patil said that walkout was a civilised manner to register protest and if some members had violated the party's decision, it was well within its right to take action. "How can it be a breach of privilege," he asked.

Related Stories:
3 Cong. MPs defy party line

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National