The Hindu : House rejects motion for Speaker's removal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 05, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

House rejects motion for Speaker's removal

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 4. The Kerala Assembly today rejected a motion moved by the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeking the removal of the Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, for want of majority.

The Deputy Speaker, Sundaran Nadar, announced at the end of the debate that the motion had been rejected since the Opposition did not have sufficient numbers to carry it through. The debate ended after the Speaker gave his personal explanation, in which he denied the charges the Opposition had levelled against him.

Mr. Purushothaman said there was no constitutional bar on the Speaker participating in active politics. Quoting the West Bengal Speaker, Hashim Abdul Halim, who had 22 years behind him in the post, Mr. Purushothaman said there was nothing wrong in the presiding officer retaining his political links after assuming office. The motion, under Article 173 of the Constitution, was moved by the deputy leader of the CPI(M) Legislature Party, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who alleged that the Speaker had actively participated in the factional feud of the Congress and campaigned for the party candidate, M.O. John, in the recent Ernakulam byelection. He alleged that the Speaker had insulted the MLAs by stating that there was an offer of Rs.1 crore to shift camp. This had led to the loss of credibility of the office of the Speaker. Mr. Purushothaman asserted that he had always made an earnest attempt to maintain impartiality while handling the affairs of the House. The Speaker said he failed to understand the logic in the motion moved by the Opposition, especially after the Assembly had adjourned its last session in an atmosphere of cordiality. He suspected that the motion was motivated by the political circumstances prevailing in the State. "The current political developments made you restless. Your motion has confirmed that if Vakkom sits in Speaker's chair, your dreams would not be fulfilled," he said.

The Speaker said that if at all he had insisted on observing rules and procedures, it was only intended to raise the quality and prestige of the Assembly. He admitted that he had been very strict in allowing submissions and calling-attention motions and any other deviations from procedures. The ruling front members, who participated in the debate, justified the Speaker's remark on the affairs of the Congress politics. They quoted many sources, including constitutional authorities, to drive home the point that there was no constitutional bar on the Speaker participating in political activity. The motion was taken up by the House soon after Mr. Balakrishnan moved the notice. The Deputy Speaker informed the House that the Speaker had expressed the desire to take up the motion today itself, ahead of the scheduled date of February 9. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, expressed willingness to take up the motion immediately and reschedule the debate on the Kerala Finance Bill for the afternoon. However, the Opposition members opposed the move to take up the motion today itself and argued that this would be in violation of the rules and procedures. Mr. Balakrishnan protested against the ruling front's haste in taking up the motion, which, he said, could be passed given the brute majority it had. But the Chief Minister should bring in a resolution seeking an amendment to the decision of the Business Advisory Committee. The Law Minister, K.M. Mani, argued that the Government was keen on going ahead with the motion, as it did not want any doubt on the Speaker's conduct. Besides, the House had the full powers to change the list of business, he added.

After a bit of wrangling over the sustainability of taking up the motion ahead of its original schedule, the Opposition demanded a poll to decide whether it should be taken up today itself. The move was defeated by an 85-36 majority.

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