Front Page

Five JD (U) MPs quit Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: Much to the chagrin of their political rivals and coalition partner, five Janata Dal (United) members from Bihar quit the Lok Sabha on Friday in protest against the Centre’s “inaction” on the issue of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra.

In the absence of Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who is indisposed, the MPs submitted their resignations in person to Lok Sabha Secretary-General P.D.T. Achary here.

As per the requirement under rules, no reason has been cited in the resignation letters of the former party president and National Democratic Alliance convener, George Fernandes (Muzaffarpur), leader of the parliamentary party Prabhunath Singh (Maharajganj), Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan (Begusarai), Meena Singh (Bikramganj) and Kailash Baitha (Bagaha).

The Secretary-General’s office confirmed receipt of the letters. “The rules have been followed, but the resignations would be effective if and when the Speaker accepts them,” an official said.

“All our Lok Sabha MPs have resigned to protest the government inaction on the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s activities against non-Maharashtrians in Maharashtra,” party president Sharad Yadav told The Hindu here.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu