RJD says SC ‘interfering’ on tainted ministers

With the Supreme Court indicating that it might examine the tainted ministers’ issue, there is a feeling of unease in the RJD, especial...

With the Supreme Court indicating that it might examine the tainted ministers’ issue, there is a feeling of unease in the RJD, especially with the Bihar polls due later this year.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha after Question Hour, RJD member Devendra Prasad Yadav said, “The Supreme Court is trying to cross the lakshman rekha” through an “encroachment and blatant interference’’ in the domains of executive and legislature. “What will happen to the Prime Minister’s prerogative to select his council of ministers,” he asked.

Yadav demanded that the House pass a resolution stating that it will “not tolerate interference’’ in its working. He also sought intervention of Speaker Somnath Chatterjee as the custodian of democracy “to save it from ruin”.

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Yadav said: “It is the Prime Minister’s prerogative to choose his team of ministers in a parliamentary democracy. The Constitution has laid down well-defined areas for the executive, legislature and judiciary.’’ He demanded that the leader of the House and the leader of the Opposition give their views on the issue.

When the NDA members tried to shout him down, Yadav said, “The issue I have raised is very serious. There is a need for rising above party-lines and taking note of it.” He drew support from Roopchand Pal of the CPI(M), who also termed the Supreme Court’s indication that it may examine the tainted issue as “interference”.

BJP deputy leader V.K. Malhotra said if there was no intervention by the judiciary, even an alleged scamster Abdul Karim Telgi could be made the finance minister. He suggested the House have a structured discussion on the issue.

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