BJP slams plea for debate on Central agencies ‘targeting’ Congress leaders

Congress MLA A.S. Ponnanna’s plea for a debate in the House on Central agencies allegedly targeting Congress leaders triggered a heated debate between members of the treasury benches and the Opposition, forcing Speaker U.T. Khader to adjourn the proceedings here on Wednesday.

During Zero Hour, Mr. Ponnanna, referring to a Delhi High Court order rejecting an ED’s plea against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald case, alleged that the Central government has been misusing its agencies to target leaders of the Opposition.

A notice has been issued to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. “We need to discuss the issue and arrive at an unanimous resolution,” he said.

Even as he raised the issue, the members in the Opposition, including Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, objected to him mentioning the issue. They argued that the rules of the procedures of the House do not allow such an issue to be taken up during the Zero Hour.

“If the issue is debated, who will reply to the debate in the House?” asked Mr. Ashok.

However, on the other side, members of the Congress argued that they have a right to raise the issue. Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa said that the House, set up as per the Constitution, has the right to discuss the functioning of the agencies which also should abide by the principles of the Constitution.

At one point, BJP member Sunil Kumar found fault with the Speaker for allowing the Congress MLA to raise the issue during Zero Hour. As the commotion continued, the Speaker adjourned the House. Then, the Speaker held meetings with representatives of both the ruling and Opposition, in his chamber.

When the House reassembled, Minister for Law H.K. Patil made a statement defending Mr. Ponnanna’s right to raise the issue during Zero Hour. Citing the rules of House proceedings, he maintained that the member had the right to seek a debate concerning the privileges of the members of the House, as the Deputy Chief Minister has also been served notice by the Central agency.

The matter ended as the Speaker gave a ruling rejecting the Congress MLA’s plea to debate the issue in the House.