New Delhi: Digivijay Singh`s remark
suggesting use of Marshals to ensure smooth running of
Parliament has kicked up a political row with BJP seeking
clarification from Congress President Sonia Gandhi and CPI
terming it "authoritarianism".
As the controversy picked up, Congress sought to
distance from Singh`s remarks, saying it does not consider it
necessary to comment on each comment made by "any individual".
"Another day wasted in Parliament. It hasn`t used
Institution of Marshals in Parliament since 2004 to make it
function. High time they did!" Singh remarked on the
micro-blogging site Twitter.
Reacting sharply to it, BJP spokesperson Prakash
Javdekar said, "We strongly condemn the statement of Digivijay
Singh. This is highly undemocratic.
"We want to ask the UPA chairperson if the Government
wants to run Parliament by force. Sonia Gandhi should clarify
whether she agrees with Singh`s statement or take action
action against him."
CPI leader D Raja said, "What does he (Singh) mean by
this comment? Does he want to throw out Parliamentarians and
then run the House? Then what is the meaning of democracy? He,
himself had been Chief Minister of a prominent state and must
know how legislative bodies function. Is he the only person
concerned about the running of Parliament?”
"We also want to run Parliament but that does not mean
the Opposition should keep quiet about whatever Government
does...this is nothing but authoritarianism."
Asked about the controversy over Singh`s remarks and
whether Congress agrees with the party general secretary`s
contention, party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "We are
not obliged either to comment on each comment made by any one
on Twitter or to obey BJP`s command requiring us to react on
such comments."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had
yesterday refused to comment on the issue. "I cannot comment
on it. It is the prerogative of the Presiding Officers" but
added he was saddened over the repeated disruptions in
Parliament.
Singh`s tweet had come on a day when the first week of
Winter Session was completely washed out due to frequent
interruptions on a variety of issues ranging from price rise
and corruption to FDI in retail.
Javdekar, however, justified his party giving the
adjournment motion on black money, saying it was given under
rules and targeted the government for not being able to reach
out even to its ally in backdrop of the strong opposition to
FDI by DMK and Trinamool Congress.
"In a democracy, Parliament will not be run by force but
through debates. Congress cannot even reach out to its allies
on issues much less the Opposition. Congress is fully
responsible for the disruptions and adjournments," he said
accusing the ruling party of "running away from debating the
issue."
PTI
