The Opposition parties will approach Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu to protest against his decision to fast-track the disqualification process of Janata Dal (U) rebel leader Sharad Yadav.
Leaders of six parties, who met at the office of Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad in Parliament House on Monday, decided to take up the battle on behalf of Mr. Yadav and another JD(U) rebel MP Ali Anwar. Mr. Yadav himself was at the meeting.
Recently, Mr. Naidu decided to determine the question of disqualification on his own instead of sending it to the ethics or privileges committee, breaking away from tradition. In the Rajya Sabha, there have been nine cases where parties have moved disqualification petitions against their members. Out of these, seven were referred to the privileges committee and two members resigned before the pleas could reach that stage.
According to sources, the Vice-President has based his decision on the time taken by the committee to dispose of the cases. He has argued that none of committees did anything substantial.
He has called Mr. Yadav for a personal hearing on October 30.
On Tuesday, Mr. Naidu is hosting his first lunch meeting with the Council of Ministers and floor leaders of both the Houses since he took over as Vice-President.
