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| Cong-NC split wide open; NC walks-out, seeks ex-Army Chief's arrest | | Breach of privilege against ex-Army Chief | | Kunal Shrivatsa
Jammu, Jan 22: Differences between National Conference (NC) and Congress over the issue of former Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh's appearance before privilege committee (PC) of Legislative Council (LC) for his 'pay-off' allegations today came out in open when three members belonging to NC staged a walk out in a huff after Congress raised questions over 'legality' of the committee.
Congress referred to Rule 257 and said that the Privilege cannot have more than 5 members and it should be verified from Chairman of LC Amrit Malhotra whether he has relaxed the rule or was 'unaware' while constituting this critically important committee. Besides, insiders maintain that Congress also has reservations over NC member Devinder Rana being part of the committee when he is the complainant on whose request breach of privilege was served to the ex-Army chief.
Congress has made it clear that once the Chairman of LC Amrit Malhotra speaks out his mind, further proceedings would begin. PC meeting was convened under the chairmanship of MLC Jugal Kishore Sharma today at LC Secretariat to seek personal appearance of Gen VK Singh for clearing his position on 'pay-off' allegations. The three NC legislators namely Devender Singh Rana, Showkat Ahmad Ganaie and Ali Mohammad Dar walked out of the meeting in protest against Congress MLC Ravinder Sharma's objection to the composition of the Committee.
According to sources, in the middle of the meeting Congress legislator Ravinder Sharma pointed out that the present Privilege Committee comprises of six members whereas Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the House suggests that the members of the Committee should not be more than five and the matter should be referred to Chairman, Legislative Council to take his opinion.
As soon as Ravinder Sharma raised the point, all three NC members objected to Congress MLC's view point and said that why the issue is being raked up now when several sittings of the Committee have been held. However, Chairman of the Committee Jugal Kishore Sharma overruled NC members' plea and decided to refer the issue of Committee's composition to LC Chairman for his views.
All three NC members walked out of the meeting hall exactly an hour after it commenced at 2:30 pm.
While speaking to media persons outside LC Secretariat Complex, the NC legislator Devender Singh Rana said that since Privilege Committee Chairman preferred to refer the legality of the composition of the Committee, all three NC members including him decided to walk out of the meeting.
"While the proceedings of the meeting were on, one of the members the Privilege Committee Ravinder Sharma said that Committee's constitution is illegal because it is supposed to have five members," Rana said.
He further said that we sought opinion of the Law Secretary, who is also Secretary Legislative Council, over the issue.
"Law Secretary opined that the rule of having not more than five members can be overruled by the Chairman of the House, who has constituted this Committee," Rana said.
"Since Chairman of the Committee referred the matter to the Council Chairman for adjudication about the legality of the Committee, me and my colleagues walked out after having voted that we don't accept Bhim Singh's letter written on behalf of General VK Singh besides issuing non-bailable warrants against Gen Singh, however, Chairman of the Committee was not ready to accept it," he added.
Meanwhile, Congress MLC Ravinder Sharma said that the Rule 257 of Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the House provide that Privilege Committee should be consisted of not more than five members.
"I raised the issue during the meeting since I came across this provision of the law…. I pointed it out since rules provide specifically that Committee on Privileges shall consist of not more than five members, therefore the constitution of the Committee is defective…. The issue has been referred to Hon'ble Chairman, Legislative Council to seek his opinion…. Once the legality of the Committee is resolved, the matter in hand will proceed," Ravinder Sharma said.
Earlier, giving a new twist to the entire issue Prof Bhim Singh submitted a letter on behalf of Gen VK Singh to the Privilege Committee after the former claimed that the latter had telephoned him.
According to sources, Prof Singh in his letter said that since Gen Singh has not received any official communication as far as issuing of summons against him by the Privilege Committee is concerned.
Sources further revealed that Prof Singh's letter said that Gen Singh would appear in the next hearing and he is seeking more time for him to appear before the Committee.
However, NC members objected to the letter saying that who authorized Prof Bhim Singh to write this letter on behalf of Gen Singh.
Putting the former Army Chief General VK Singh's appearance before Privilege Committee for his 'pay-off' allegations on back burner, the National Conference and Congress are now locked into a bitter battle over the issue which in a way could lead to wider political ramifications for the two political parties. |
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