The Rajya Sabha witnessed repeated interruptions during the zero hour on Friday morning as Congress leader Digvijaya Singh sought to raise the issue of what he called constitutional impropriety by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha over the formation of the new government there.
Mr. Singh was referring to a reported statement of the Governor that she being a psychologist took a call on the letters of support of MLAs produced by BJP leader Manohar Parrikar and also called up Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to consult him.
As per Ms. Sinha’s interview, Mr. Jaitley told her that any party that had the majority needed to be considered, which “settled it.”
Mr. Singh wished to raise the issue under rule 267 so that proceedings of the listed business of the House be suspended to discuss it. However deputy chairman of the House P.J. Kurien reminded him that the conduct of a Governor could be discussed only on the basis of a substantive motion.
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma also tried to raise the issue, even as the House had to be adjourned shortly after Congress members rushed into the well of the House.
Backing Mr. Singh, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “This is her own statement... This is the statement of the Governor of Goa which is being reproduced... How can a Governor seek the permission of a Union Minister for forming a Government of a particular party?” The matter was settled after Mr. Kurien asked them to give a notice and the government said it was ready for such a discussion. Mr. Azad agreed to give a substantive motion notice to raise the issue.
