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Opposition angered by Jethmalani not being allowed to speak in RS

Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi

The Union government came under Opposition fire on Monday for refusing to allow former Union law minister Ram Jethmalani to speak in the Rajya Sabha about his resignation.

After waiting for over three hours in the House, a visibly impatient Jethmalani got up to voice his grievance. He pointed out that Rajya Sabha Vice-Chairman Santosh Bagrodia should allow him to speak since he had been "waiting for a long time."

The vice-chairman, however, pointed out that Jethmalani's speech was not listed on the day's agenda.

A disappointed Jethmalani thereafter walked out of the House.

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Venkaiah Naidu pointed out that "the government does not figure in this issue. The question of Jethmalani speaking on his resignation is a matter between him and the honourable chairperson of the Rajya Sabha."

Naidu did not agree that it was a deliberate ploy by the government to disallow Jethmalani from speaking on his dismissal.

Congress spokesperson Margaret Alva, however, lashed out at the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government, underlining that, "I don't know what the government is afraid of."

Alva pointed out it was ironical that the government had recently introduced the freedom of information bill in Parliament, "but is refusing to allow one of its former ministers to speak on why he resigned."

"A minister who has resigned has the right to make a statement in the House," she said.

However, the Congress spokesperson was visibly ill at ease when reporters asked why her party's members in the Rajya Sabha, especially lawyer Kapil Sibal, remained silent when Jethmalani asked why he was being denied his right to speak.

ALSO SEE:
Jethmalani postpones foreign trip

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