NEW DELHI, 6 May 2008 — Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee abruptly adjourned the house sine die yesterday, four days ahead of the schedule. He made the announcement soon after the six-day crisis over his decision to refer names of 32 legislators, mostly from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), for their “disorderly conduct” to the privileges committee was resolved.
During an hour-long meeting of all parties at the speaker’s chamber, held minutes after the house had assembled for the day, the understanding on withdrawing Chatterjee’s reference was reached. The meeting was attended, among others, by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani.
When the Lok Sabha resumed proceedings at 2 p.m., both Mukherjee and Advani assured the speaker of their full cooperation in the smooth running of the house. They formally urged him to withdraw his notice. Mukherjee, who is leader of the house, said: “Legislators met the speaker in his chamber and promised full cooperation. Accordingly, I request you (the speaker) to reconsider the matter.” His request was seconded by the leader of the opposition, Advani.
Thanking Mukherjee and Advani for their assurance, Chatterjee said: “I have decided to reconsider the matter and I shall withdraw the same.”
Devendra Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal) asked the speaker to reveal the names of those who had sought apology at the all-party meeting convened by him. Evading the question, Chatterjee said: “Smooth running of the house is my only concern.”
A few legislators belonging to RJD stood up and demanded that the speaker “tell the nation,” that these legislators were being let off only after they had tendered an apology in his chamber.
Several opposition legislators voiced protest against Yadav’s question. There was heated argument between RJD legislators and those belonging to the NDA.
Downplaying the issue, Chatterjee said: “There is no question of apology. Whatever is mentioned here is what happened. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Earlier, legislators on the opposition benches protested against the speaker’s action by sitting with fingers on their lips.
The Samajwadi Party, which is not part of the NDA, had also voiced protested against the speaker’s move, saying that legislators had never been subject to such “restrictions.”
“The privileges committee is for the protection of MPs not for penalizing them. Without notice, the issue was referred to the committee,” BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said.
While adjourning the house, Chatterjee reminded the legislators that defiance of the chair does not help smooth running of democracy.
