Modi's Un-parliamentary word Expunged from speech in RS

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Modi's Un-parliamentary word Expunged from speech in RS

PM had accused the Opposition of spreading "Jhoot"

Naidu expunges word from Ghulam Nabi's Speech

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Feb 7

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, expunged a word from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in parliament on Thursday.

While bitterly attacking the Opposition (Congress) on the NPR & CAA, the PM charged them for misleading people an spreading "jhooth (lies)". This created a ruckus during the debate which went on late until yesterday. The chairman, sensing the mood of the House, immediately expunged the remarks saying anything said, done or any action which is un-parliamentary is dropped.

Today, his office issued an official order expunging the word “Jhoot” from PM's statement on the National Population Register (NPR).

Interestingly, the Chairman also expunged a remark by Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad “Gumrah” (Misleading). It is rather surprising that the PM had also used the same word “Gumrah” during the course of his speech.

This is the second time that the Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu had to expunge a remark of the PM from his speech.

In 2018, some words were dropped from PM Modi's comments on Congress leader BK Hariprasad. It was on August 11 in 2018 when Modi had made the remark about the Opposition candidate for House deputy chairman, B.K. Hariprasad, while felicitating the winner, Harivansh. Many in the Opposition and outside construed three words in that speech as an attempt to crack a joke about Hariprasad's initials.

While Opposition members squirmed at the reference, which they thought was in poor taste, the BJP benches too remained stony-faced. Next day, Naidu expunged these three words. He also expunged a reference to these three words by RJD member Manoj Jha, who had quoted them while demanding their removal from the records. There was talk of moving a privilege notice against the Prime Minister for the remark. But it was dropped after remarks were expunged.

Opposition got lion's share of Committees in RS

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Opposition got lion's share of Committees in RS

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Sep 14

The Opposition members in Rajya Sabha have been given the lion's share this year when it comes to giving them chairmanship of joint parliamentary standing committees.

Compared to the previous two years, the Opposition benches were given five standing committees of the Upper House instead of four. Rajya Sabha Chairman M.Venkaiah Naidu approved the appointment of chairpersons of the eight Committees under which the ruling BJP gets headship of three Committees. He also approved nomination of Rajya Sabha on the 16 DRSCs of Lok Sabha. Constitution and chairpersons of the 16 DRSCs serviced by the Lok Sabha were also approved by Speaker Om Birla.

Of the DRSCs of Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma and Jairam Ramesh (Congress) obtained two committees,

of Congress will head the DRSC on Home Affairs while his party colleague Shri Jairam Ramesh will chair the Committee on Science, Technology, Environment & Forests.

Prof.Ramgopal Yadav (SP) was appointed chairman of Health & Family Welfare committee while Dr. K. Keshava Rao (TRS) is Chairperson of Industry Committee. V.Vijay Sai Reddy (YSRCP) is heading Commerce.

Satyanarayan Jatiya, Bhupendra Yadav and T.G.Venkatesh from BJP are heading three committees.

Main opposition Congress retained it’s quota of chairmanship of two committees.

Venkaiah Naidu held consultations with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Prahlad Joshi before finalising the composition of the committees.

16 Committees fall under the Lok Sabha and in all there are 24 Department Related Standing Committees of both houses.

PDP MPs to face Ethics Committee Music

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

PDP MPs to face Ethics Committee Music 

Face action for tearing Constitution in RS

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Aug 23

The two PDP MPs who made national headlines by tearing a copy of the Constitution inside the Rajya Sabha chamber earlier this month, to face music now.

Instead of taking action against their behaviour in the House in full view himself, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has decided to send the case to Ethics Committee of Parliament.

Though the House has the power to expel them instantly through a resolution. But it was decided by the Chairman that their conduct be looked into by the Ethics Committee.

Senior BJP leader Dr Vinay Sahastrabuddhe is the Chairman of the Ethics Committee. Highly placed sources said here today that before going on a foreign visit, the Chairman sent the case to the Ethics Committee.

The two PDP MPs, Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohd Fayaz, tore the pages of the Constitution and their clothes in the Rajya Sabha when Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the two bills relating to J&K on August 5. Nazir Ahmad Laway was told not to do so but he did not listen and kept on tearing pages after pages of the constitution. The other MP Fayaz Ahmad Mir tore his Kurta.

Since the Rajya Sabha adjourned two days later, a disciplinary action couldn't be taken then except for that they were suspended immediately from the house until August 7.

In the meanwhile, the PDP MPs were asked by their party chief Mehbooba Mufti to resign in protest against the Centre move on J&K. The two have been staying put in Delhi too, citing travel restrictions to Srinagar. 

However, they have not resigned from Parliament as directed by Mufti as she had been put under house arrest along with several other politicians in the state. Laway and Mir said they had not resigned because they “want to verify” the “veracity of media reports” about Mufti seeking their resignations. One of them also said some other MPs told them that “resignation will not serve any purpose.”

Interestingly, these two MPs did not vote against the Triple Talaq Bill and violated the party whip. But before Mehbooba could act against them, the J&K bills came and utter confusion prevailed.

Ends

RS Chairman sent 80% Bills to Committees

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

RS Chairman sent 80% Bills to Committees

Naidu favours scrutiny of Bill by Committees

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 27

The Chairman of Rajya Sabha & Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu sent as many as 8 out of ten bills to the Department related Standing Committees of Parliament during the last two years.

Allaying apprehensions that the procedures are violated and traditions broken when the bill are not being sent to the committees for scrutiny, Naidu was at pains to explain to some of the members that 10 Bills were first introduced in Rajya Sabha until the last session. Of them, 8 were referred to the concerned committees. In fact, one more Bill, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, introduced in and passed by Lok Sabha, after scrutiny of standing committee of the Lok Sabha, and sent to the Rajya Sabha was again sent to the RS Committee.

It was explained that during the ongoing 249th Session of Rajya Sabha, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, Arbitration and Conciliation Bill and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, were first introduced in Rajya Sabha and passed without being referred to Standing Committees as new Committees had not been constituted after the fresh Lok Sabha polls. One more Bill viz., the Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill is still to be taken up for consideration in Rajya Sabha next week, say these sources. The Opposition parties insisted on referring the RTI Bill to the Select Committee. But it lost the vote. Naidu is reported to have told some members that he would not bypass the committees to fast track passage of the bills.

Procedurally, a Bill can be referred to Department Related Standing Committee of Parliament for scrutiny where it is first introduced. If a Bill is introduced first in Lok Sabha than that House alone can refer it to the Standing Committee. If a Bill introduced in and then passed by LS and transmitted to the Upper House, it can refer to Select Committee or pass it without referring to a committee.

Ends 

BJP's Core Committee may be over-hauled

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

BJP's Core Committee may be over-hauled 

J P Nadda in reckoning for the apex decision making body 

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, May 28 

Intense speculation is rife in the Capital over the composition of BJP's Core Committee now that two if its vital members are not part of it. Mr M Venkaiah Naidu became the Vice President of India in 2017  and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has opted out temporarily due to frailing health. 

The Core Committee comprised of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP Chief Amit Shah and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari besides these two. The vacancy caused by Naidu's exit was not filled. The criterion for forming the Core Committee was that all former party president below the age of 75 will be its members. Arun Jaitley was inducted as he was Leader of the Rajya Sabha. The Cor committee concept was evolved in the BJP during the days of Atal era which continued in the Modi era too.

This Core Committee meets at short notice to take  key decisions relating to party and the government whenever needed. These decisions are later ratified by the party's parliamentary board if they needed the approval.  The BJP's parliamentary board is a larger body with Sushma Swaraj, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Shivraj Singh Chouhan,  J P Nadda and Ram Lal as members. The talent deficit is the main worry of the BJP as more than 100 new MPs have been elected to the Lok Sabha out of the 303 and Rajya Sabha will also see 60 new faces in April 2020. 

There are indications that Union Health Minister J P Nadda who is general secretary incharge of the Parliamentary Board may be inducted into the Core Committee in the event of his becoming the Leader of the Rajya Sabha or party president. Nadda has been a trusted lieutenant of the leadership and was incharge of UP during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The steller performance of the party in UP has added feather in his cap. 

Ravi Shankar Prasad is also in the reckoning. If External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj stays in the government she will continue to be the member of the parliamentary board, the only woman member of the apex body. Otherwise, a new woman leader may be brought in, sources say. As per the seniority, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani is a third time MP and a giant killer and contender for induction into the apex body though Nirmala Sitharaman is senior in order of precedence as she is the Defence Minister of India though first time MP.

Tough steps against corrupt Mps, MLAs in sight,

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Tough steps against corrupt Mps, MLAs in sight,

regular monitoring of their assets under consideration

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, Nov 26

In an unusual move, a judgment of the Supreme Court regarding creation of a permanent institutional mechanism to “monitor the assets and sources of income of Legislators and their associates” on a continuous basis was discussed.

It transpires that senior officials of the secretariats of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Department of Personnel, Election Commission of India and about 20 state legislatures attended the meeting.

The meeting was held in the Parliament House to discuss various aspects of implementation of the SC order. Obviously, the presiding officers of the two houses, the Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu and Speaker Sumitra Mahajan strongly felt that the SC judgment be followed up in letter & spirit.

In its judgment, the apex court had said in February this year in the Lok Prahari Vs.Union of India, that a permanent institutional mechanism be created to continuously monitor the assets and sources of the income of the Legislators. As if this was not enough, the SC had ordered that the assets of their associates including spouses and dependents be also included. As if this was not enough, the SC said the body should take appropriate action in case of disproportionate increase in their assets during the tenure of the membership, including disqualification from membership of the Legislatures’.

It emerged during the discussion that there are different rules and norms in different legislatures for members to declare their assets and liabilities soon after their election. There is no provision to ensure compliance of the same. Besides, there is no provision requiring such periodic declaration of assets once they are elected on a regular basis. Strangely, there is no provision under any Act of Parliament or Rules of respective legislatures to disqualify members from the Legislatures on account of acquisition of disproportionate assets.

It was felt that the implementation of the direction of the apex court may require necessary amendment in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 making such disproportionate acquisition of assets a ground for disqualification from the membership of the Legislatures. It was also pointed out that this Act is applicable only to the elected MPs in respect of requiring disclosure of assets and liabilities under Section 75 A of the Act. Invoking Sub-section 2 of this Section, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and Speaker of Lok Sabha have issued the ‘Members of Rajya Sabha/Lok Sabha (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Rules,2004’. Under these Rules, MPs need to make such declarations within 90 days of their election to Parliament.

Discussions will further continue.

Ends

Fly on the wall : Sushma Sermon to BJP MPs creates a flutter

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Sushma Sermon to BJP MPs creates a flutter

 External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is very cautious of what she speaks and does. She plays so safe that people rather wonder if she is the same Sushma who used to bat on the front foot all the time and fire-brand speaker. But ever since she became a Minister under the Modi dispensation, she is a changed person. However, things are changing lately and Sushma created a stir at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting on Tuesday last. She told the hundreds of BJP Mps present at the venue that they should not be seen in Delhi after August 10. They should create a buzz in every village and town about Modiji's schemes and success stories and achievements of the Modi government. She said no MP should be seen in Delhi after august 10 and stay in their respective constituencies. Sushma who spoke immediately after Surface Transport and Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari sent a clear message to the Mps that they should now focus on the constituencies alone. The MPs were surprised to hear the sermon coming from Sushma who virtually declared that Monsoon could be the last session of Parliament amidst buzz that Lok Sabha polls may be advanced to November-December when polls are due in four states; Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. Surprisingly, neither BJP president Amit Shah and nor the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi contradicted her when they spoke subsequently. The silence of Modi and Shah on this tricky issue made MP s worried too. Since Sushma is not known for jumping the gun, the MP s have no clue as what they should do next ? Better Quit the Capital after August 10 as directed by Sushma Behenji.

Rahul ready for a big hair-cut

Congress president Rahul Gandhi made it clear to top party leaders that he was all for alliances. But they should keep in mind that these alliances would be limited to four states only; namely, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. In other states, the party may have some adjustment of seats. But these four states alone account for 208 seats out of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies. In these four states the Congress is expected to contest, if the alliances were put in place, around 50-54 seats. Sources say that the Congress would contest 22 seats in Maharashtra under a new arrangement being worked out, 10 in UP, 12 in Bihar and 10 in Tamil Nadu. Rahul reported to have told P Chidambaram categorically when he advocated for country-wide alliances to defeat PM Modi. Rahul said these four states, the party would enter into alliances and in other states there may be seat adjustment. He did not name any other state. But in west Bengal, the Congress will have seat adjustment with Mamata Banerjee and not an alliance and would contest 8 out of 42. This means, out of 250 seats, the Congress will contest 60 seats only. Mamata called on Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and discussed the length the contours of broad-based understanding. But it is clear the Congress is ready to take a big hair-cut to ensure the defeat of Modi in 2019. Congress under Sonia Gandhi may have contested 461 Lok Sabha seats across the country. But things are different under young Rahul Gandhi who is realistic and quick in decision-making now. If things go as planned, the Congress is now mentally ready to contest 265-280 Lok Sabha seats. In Kerala too, it is already in alliance and with Mayawati seeking seats outside UP, the Congress tally may come down further. But one thing is sure; the strike rate of the Congress-led alliance will be far more damaging than what is anticipated.

Dy. Chairman's room gone too !

With no election of Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in sight as the government not inclined to hold it due to lack of numbers, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu moved a step further. The VP explored the possibility if a consensus for the post of Dy Chairman can be evolved and government tried hard. Finally, the government told VP that it won't to possible to do so during the Monsoon session of Parliament. It now transpires that VP has taken control of the Dy. Chairman's spacious room for the time being and put it to some better use. A dining table with a dozen chairs were put there and a temporary partition was created. Since the Vice President has to sit for long hours in the absence of Deputy Chairman, he has to sit in the House for long hours. Therefore, he decided to put up a bed to take afternoon nap in the Parliament House itself rather than driving down to his own residence at 6 Maulana Azad Road. In any case, there is no hurry to fill the post either as VP is doubling up for Dy. Chairman as well.

Amit Shah's 51% vote share dream

In the midst of contradictory signals, BJP chief  Amit Shah made it clear that there will be no early elections either for the Lok Sabha. Shah was quoted as saying that the BJP was all for simultaneous polls of Lok Sabha & state Assemblies. But unless there is a consensus or the BJP has required majority in Parliament, the proposal won't be implemented on a piece meal basis. “There is no question of early elections, we will not do give up power even for one hour as people have given us the mandate for 5 years,” he said to his core group team. Giving logic behind his plans, Shah said the BJP is targeting for 51 % votes in the Lok Sabha. He said that the BJP polled 47% votes in Kairana Lok Sabha bye-polls which is toughest seat for the party in UP. The combined Opposition may have won the seat. But the BJP improved its vote tally from 41% in 2014 in Kairana to 47%. Amit Shah is not worried over Opposition unity and reportedly said, “we are happy that Rahul Gandhi is being projected as PM, it benefits us since he is no match to Modi. It will give BJP 5% edge during the polls.  Amit Shah wriggled out figures after figures and said, the booth level committees of the BJP workers are effectively function in 7 lakh booths out of 9 lakh booths in the country. A batch of 25 workers on every booth is working and operations and connected with the headquarters on a daily basis. The party has a data-base of 14.3 crore members with their mobile telephone numbers, voter cards etc. The BJP is connected with them through SMSes. But he had no answer how he would touch 51% votes in 2019 when the party's vote share in 2014 was 31% votes. Secondly, in 2014, the Opposition parties were divided and Congress was in a disarray.

Finding a new defence minister a herculean task

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Finding a new defence minister a herculean task

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, May 3 :

Finding a new Defence Minister is getting extremely tough for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Though pressure is mounting from the Opposition parties that Modi find a full-time Defence Minister considering continued threat from across the borders, Modi is finding it difficult to relieve Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of the additional charge.

The issue cropped up again when Jaitley called on the PM yesterday ostensibly to discuss the crisis in the Valley and mutilation of bodies of the Indian jawans by the Pakistanis.

Jaitley who was to visit Japan had to defer his visit by two days in the wake of current situation. It is learnt that he pleaded with Modi to relieve him of the additional charge as early as possible. However, Modi is reported to have said that it will take a while to find a suitable person for the key Cabinet post. Modi doesn’t want to reshuffle his Cabinet in a hurry and under pressure.  

The reasons for not appointing a full-time Defence Minister after Manohar Parrikar’s sudden departure to Goa are many. Sources say that the matter was discussed at the high-powered core committee meeting of the party comprising of PM, BJP chief Amit Shah, Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and M Venkiah Naidu. 

Modi reportedly said the situation is back to square one as it existed in May 2014 when Arun Jaitley had to be given the dual charge of the defence ministry in May 2014.

He had a great difficulty in persuading Manohar Parrikar to come to Delhi and hold the charge of Defence Ministry. But he had to go back in less than two years. He asked the core group members to suggest a name for the post as none of the senior Chief Ministers of the BJP ruled states can be moved out as Assembly elections are likely to be held within the next 12-18 months in their states.

Though one of the proposals under the consideration was to move Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to Defence and give additional charge of the Railways to the Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. But it was felt that no purpose will be served by replacing dual charge of one minister with the other.

Secondly, Modi is keen to undertake a major reshuffle of his Cabinet. He wants to do it after the President and Vice President’s elections in July-August. 

Modi is also keen to find new faces in states who can be brought to the Centre. Amit Shah is already on tour of states for next 90 days and tirelessly campaigning. 

The PM had told a group of MPs from Maharashtra the other day that 30 ministers of his government have no work after 2 pm. He had also said that good governance is minimum government which virtually signaled that he may trim his ministry.

Therefore, finding a new Defence Minister is turning out to be a herculean task.

Seven Union ministers eyeing Rajya Sabha seats

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Seven Union Ministers are in the race for 17/18 Rajya Sabha seats that the BJP is likely to win during the ensuing biennial polls due on June 11. The term of these seven ministers including one belonging to the TDP is expiring in July.