Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday refused to accept the resignation of industrialist and independent Rajya Sabha member Vijay Mallya, who had sent him a letter resigning his post.
“Hamid Ansari, Chairman, Rajya Sabha, does not accept the resignation of Vijay Mallya,” OSD to Mr. Ansari Gurdeep Singh Sappal tweeted. “SG, RS writes to Sh. Mallya that his resignation letter does not conform to prescribed procedures & does not bear signature in original.”
He added: “As per Rule 213 of RS procedures, the resignation must be voluntary and genuine.”
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Mr. Mallya had written a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman, reportedly saying he was resigning so as not to sully his name and reputation further. He left India early in March after defaulting on bank loans to the tune of Rs. 9,000-crore. The Ethics Committee of the Rajya Sabha has taken up the matter and had given him a week’s time, ending May 4, to explain his conduct. Instead, Mr. Mallya sought to resign.
While there was buzz that the Committee has recommended his expulsion from the Rajya Sabha at its latest meeting, its chairman Dr. Karan Singh sought to scotch speculation. “It is not appropriate to announce the decision before it is tabled in the House. Tomorrow [on Wednesday] it will be tabled,” he told the media.