‘Cong complaint against PM may not pass muster’
A Congress notice said PM Modi had praised Anurag Thakur’s speech that “disparaged the SC/ST/OBC communities for their demand of caste census”. If the notice is accepted by the Speaker, the privilege motion under Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure would be moved against the PM.
Congress submitted records of proceedings and Modi’s tweet of Thakur’s video in which the PM said the “speech by my young and energetic colleague Anurag Thakur is a must hear. A perfect mix of facts and humour, exposing the dirty politics of the INDI Alliance”.
Sources in LS Secretariat, however, said that the complaint is unlikely to pass muster. “Congress members’ primary grouse against Thakur’s speech was to his remarks where talked about the lack of clarity about the caste of the leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi. However, that part was not expunged since the BJP MP did not name anyone,” said a source familiar with the procedures.
“If Congress’ notice of privilege motion is based on this part of the former Union minister’s speech, it cannot be deemed valid as that portion was never expunged,” said another source even though he said that the final decision on the matter will be that of Speaker Om Birla.Sources said that the only bit in Thakur’s speech which was expunged was his use of the word “lie”, twice, an unparliamentary expression. Amid Congress’ protests, presiding officer Jagdambika Pal, told Thakur that he could not use “lie” and suggested using “falsehood” instead. Thakur heeded the suggestion. “It does not warrant a privilege motion,” said sources in LS secretariat even as they reiterated that Birla will form an opinion after talking to Channi.
“It is ironical that those whose own caste is not known are going around demanding caste census?” BJP MP had said
BJP was combative in response to Congress’s move and said there is a history of Congress MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, sharing video links of speeches of which large portions were expunged. Congress’ notice is nothing but politics, they claimed. “Congress functionaries should have done homework before taking such a move, which sounds like a joke as the parts of Thakur’s remarks, about which the party has mentioned, have not been expunged from the proceedings,” a senior BJP functionary said.
In the notice, Channi said, “The PM’s tweeting of remarks which had been expunged from the proceedings of LS clearly amounts to a breach of privilege and contempt of the house.” He urged the Speaker to allow his notice to move the motion. Thakur’s speech on Tuesday triggered a furore as his remark about Rahul’s caste, albeit without naming, provoked a reply from the leader of opposition.