Maya takes U-turn: ‘I respect the Chair’

A day after attacking Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari over his absence from the House after 12 noon daily, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Thursday said she respected the Chair and had "full faith" that Ansari would find a way to get the SC/ST quota in promotion Bill passed. HT reports.

A day after attacking Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari over his absence from the House after 12 noon daily, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Thursday said she respected the Chair and had "full faith" that Ansari would find a way to get the SC/ST quota in promotion Bill passed.

HT Image

“I respect you. I respect the Chair…I have full faith that you will find some way to make sure that the House runs smoothly and the Bill is passed," Mayawati said in the Rajya Sabha.

She said it was sad that the bill could not be taken up in the last session of Parliament as well as in the current one due to frequent disruptions.

She had on Wednesday said it was Ansari's responsibility to ensure that the House remained in order but he was not to be soon after 12 noon.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government had complete faith in Ansari and it would extend “fullest cooperation” for smooth conduct of proceedings.

Mayawati requested the government to reach out to political parties to clear hurdles before the proposed legislation.

Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley joined the PM in expressing “full faith” in Ansari.

Ansari thanked the leaders for the sentiments expressed by them and sought cooperation for smooth functioning of the House.