Speculation on the issue of expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh holding the prestigious post of chairman of Public Accounts Committee continued on Wednesday even as Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar made it clear that rules will be followed on the matter under which no party can seek removal of their candidate from such a post.
I have not received any letter from BJP as of yet...Let the issue come to me, she said at an interaction with journalists at Indian Women Press Corps here.
Ms. Kumar said the Speaker has the discretion to remove the PAC Chairman if he is unable to act but there are definite rules.
We follow those rules. The rule says that that if for any reason he or she is unable to act (in the post)...I will have to apply myself. Let it come to me, she said.
The post of the PAC Chairperson generally goes to the senior most member of the Opposition party.
According to rules, Mr. Singh can voluntarily quit from the post but the party cannot seek his removal since the appointment has already been made.
The party cannot ask the Speaker to do anything after the appointment, but the Chairman has the full freedom to resign voluntarily. Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar was the Chairman of the Ethics Committee and was unwell for long but the then Speaker did not replace him.
