Looking for an ‘honourable exit’ in the imbroglio over Minister of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s comments that has led to disruption of Parliament for the last three days, Opposition leaders in the Rajya Sabha suggested on Thursday that a “condemnation resolution” ( ninda prastaav ) be moved next week. The government has rejected the demand.
The suggestion was made by CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Rajya Sabha on Thursday after the House was repeatedly adjourned. BJP leaders Muktar Abbas Naqvi and Chandan Mitra, who were present in the BAC, later conveyed that this was “unacceptable” to the government.
The resolution, it was suggested, would say that members of Parliament, including Ministers, must not make any derogatory remarks inside or outside Parliament. It could be moved by the Rajya Sabha Chairman or the government, it was said.
“There is no question of a ‘condemnation resolution,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu. “If that is the case then resolutions will have to be passed against several Ministers and leaders for their objectionable comments inside and outside Parliament,” he said.
According to sources, although the Opposition is putting up a united front, cracks have started appearing with some party leaders saying that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in the Rajya Sabha, the matter should have been allowed to rest.
