NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Friday witnessed an interesting role switch with opposition members pressing for normal functioning of the House as BJP MPs vociferously demanded an investigation into the recovery of a wad of Rs 500 notes from the seat of senior Congress MP and leading lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
As opposition MPs argued that protests were unnecessary as an investigation had already been ordered, BJP members, even ministers, pointed out that Congress itself never practised what it was preaching now.
Soon after leader of opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said taking the MP’s name was not right before the probe was completed, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “When a matter is under investigation we should not be making a debate of it. I would greatly appreciate it if this is followed. I find this breach virtually every day, everything under investigation is subject to more investigation in our debates.”
Amid the uproar, leader of the House JP Nadda accused the opposition of raising some issues with high intensity and ignoring others. As some opposition MPs urged the chairman to take up zero hour, Nadda said, “Today, you have so much concern for zero hour. Good sense should always prevail over the opposition.” He added, “Whether LoP’s plea for restraint reflects an intent to pre-empt the investigation is something that must be kept in mind. The investigation should continue.”
Responding to minister Piyush Goyal’s observation that a rule should be made that the opposition will allow the House to function smoothly and will not raise any matter that’s under investigation, Kharge said, “I only referred to the investigation ordered by the chairman. They should not be bothered. We are safe in your (chairman) hands.”
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also said the opposition must give an assurance of not raising “unnecessary issues and fake narratives” to stall House business.
