In an unprecedented move, three Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha have written to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan demanding that their colleague and Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann be sent into a rehabilitation programme for alcoholics.
The letter (a copy of which is available with The Hindu ) is signed by BJP MP Mahesh Girri, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and disgruntled AAP MP Harinder Khalsa, and demands that Mr. Mann’s treatment costs be underwritten by the Lok Sabha, if need be.
Mr. Khalsa had, in fact, written a letter some time back to the Speaker asking that his seat be changed, as he could not tolerate the smell of alcohol allegedly emanating from Mr. Mann.
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“It is common knowledge in Parliament, that the said member of Parliament, continuously remains under the influence of intoxicants or liquor and does not attend parliamentary proceedings without being intoxicated. The audacity with which this Member of Parliament denigrates the entire institution of Lok Sabha is contrary to the lofty ideals set forth by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and those who built this institution over the last six decades,” states the letter.
“We would be grateful if Shri Bhagwant Mann is sent to a rehabilitation centre for drugs and alcohol de-addiction by the Lok Sabha on Lok Sabha expenditure, and only after that allowed to attend its proceedings,” it adds.
Mr. Mann is already facing a parliamentary committee which is enquiring whether his videographing Parliament had “imperilled” parliamentary security or not.
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A member of the committee told The Hindu that “some action” had to be taken against Mr. Mann, who had already been “advised” to stay away from the House till such time the committee reached a decision.