BJP opposes JD(U)'s withdrawal of complaints against MPs

The newly-developed political acrimony between the BJP and its estranged partner JD(U) reached a new level today when the saffron party opposed the latter's move to withdraw complaints against its own MPs. HT reports.

The newly-developed political acrimony between the BJP and its estranged partner JD(U) reached a new level on Tuesday when the saffron party opposed the latter's move to withdraw complaints against its own MPs.

At the meeting of the parliament’s privilege committee, JD(U)'s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Ranjan Prasad Yadav sought to withdraw an earlier petition that was meant to demand the disqualification of three party MPs - Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan', Sushil Singh and Mangni Lal Mandal on disciplinary grounds.

But on Tuesday, a letter from Yadav was placed before the panel where he said that he doesn't want to press the issue "further" and would like the panel to treat his earlier petition as "withdrawn".

The BJP leaders present in the meeting, however, strongly objected to this move and emphasised that the panel must act on the earlier petition. BJP’s Ananth Kumar and Shahnawaz Hussain reportedly said that there are prima facie evidence against the three JD(U) members and the matter should not be treated as close.

But other opposition leaders, especially BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab argued that since Yadav has also sent his latest petition to Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar, she should take the final call on this issue.

Finally, the panel chairman PC Chacko also felt that since the speaker is the final authority for deciding on such issues, the panel should consult her on this matter.

Some members, however, also felt that Yadav must appear before the panel and explain why the change in his stance.