Date:11/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111120590300.htm

New Delhi

Delhi Deputy Speaker threatens to quit

Staff Reporter

"Anti-minority" allegations against the Speaker, Secretary of the House

NEW DELHI: The war of words between Delhi Assembly Speaker Chaudhary Prem Singh and Deputy Speaker Shoaib Iqbal took a turn for the worse on Friday with Mr. Iqbal charging that the House had been hijacked by a handful of individuals and he was being targeted as he belonged to the minority community.

Stating that he was prepared to resign from office but not tolerate this kind of humiliation, Mr. Iqbal told newsmen he would take up the matter with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and had already sought time from her.

"I will meet Ms. Gandhi and inform her about the anti-minority stand of the Speaker and Secretary Vidhan Sabha who are violating all norms and precedents to muffle my voice. I had ensured that the Congress party won from the Chandni Chowk constituency and the Congress president in the presence of my other AICC leaders put the stamp of approval. If at all I have to resign, I will submit the resignation to Ms. Gandhi as she was the one who approved my appointment to the post of Deputy Speaker in return for victory of Congress candidate Kapil Sibal who is now a Union Minister,'' he added.

"Mr. Prem Singh and the Vidhan Sabha Secretary had have hijacked the agenda of the House as during the last two days my attempts to raise matters pertaining to prominent Muslim personalities and individuals who had contributed to the freedom struggle of the country had been turned down for no reason, he charged. "There have been precedents in the past where Deputy Speaker Kiran Chaudhary had actively participated in raising matters including debates, moving Bills, resolutions and taking part in Question Hour. It had happened before that also and the Speaker was violating the precedents and norms by not allowing me to speak.''

A furious Mr. Iqbal, who was prevented from speaking during Zero Hour by the Speaker, said he had tried to raise the issue of tribute to renowned sShehnai player Bismillah Khan and former Union Education Minister and freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He said the Speaker had never called him for discussions on various issues.

"I am being harassed in various ways for raising important issues concerning the House and its renovation. Where are the old furniture and the antique chairs and tables that were replaced with new furniture? There has been no answer forthcoming on these issues which is unfortunate ,'' he added.