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| NC may use Chairman's 'inherent powers' clause to its favour | | LC Privilege Committee row | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 23: Even as the Congress has questioned legality of the Privilege Committee of legislative Council on summoning ex Army Chief General VK Singh, nothing is going to change in terms of the composition and number of members the panel has its on its board. This will be done on the premise that Chairman of the Upper House has inherent powers which he can use for relaxation of rules on any issue, including this one on which Congress has raised the query on Privilege Panel having six members instead of five as mandated by the business conduct rules.
As the matter has become fresh issue of contention between the two allies National Conference and Congress, sources said Congress which tried to corner NC while raising legality point has only succeeded in putting things on hold for now. NC for which it has become one more prestige issue is not going to relent and may ask for convening the meeting any time, given the fact the issue is loaded with political connotations and can have political ramifications in favour or against either of the party if General VK Singh is summoned or non bailable warrants are issued against him. Sources said while the meetings of the panel have been deferred for the time being, NC may dismiss the Congress arguments on the ground that why it did not raise similar objections while the panel settled and decided other issues during the last 8 months after the Privilege Committee with Congress member as Chairman was set up. Pertinently, after Congress raised this issue in the meeting held today after which NC members walked out in protest, all the proceedings of the Privilege Committee have been deferred for now till the Chairman of the House gives his ruling in the matter.
Sources said in all likelihood, if Congress continues to insist on legality aspect, the matter shall take the recourse on the lines that Chairman of the House has powers and authority to relax the rules , in this case Rule 257 of business conduct rules and therefore there should be no objection to panel having six members as it would be argued this has been so in relaxation of the rules. The ball at present lies in the court of Chairman of the Upper House. It remains to be seen when and what ruling he gives in the matter which has pushed the two allies apart further. |
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