The Hindu : National : Lalu apologises twice to Speaker

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Friday, Aug 12, 2005

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National

Lalu apologises twice to Speaker

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had to apologise twice to Speaker Somnath Chatterjee in the Lok Sabha on Thursday as Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) members drew his wrath by challenging the Chair's ruling.

Mr. Chatterjee was so upset with them the second time round that he said "every challenge to the Speaker's ruling will be seen as a breach of privilege."

The first instance was when Ram Kripal Yadav and Raghunath Jha sought to intervene during a call-attention motion on the jute sector. When the Speaker reminded them that they had not given notice as per the rules, they objected, saying their party was being sidelined. With Mr. Chatterjee objecting to them for casting aspersions on the Chair and seeking to know from the RJD president if he subscribed to the views of Mr. Yadav and Mr. Jha, it was left to the Railway Minister to step in with an apology.

But, when matters under Rule 377 were taken up, Mr. Yadav was again caught challenging the Speaker's ruling. Again, it was Mr. Prasad who saved the day for the RJD members. In his characteristic style, the Minister said by way of an apology: "They do not mean to challenge your ruling. In their excitement and because of your affection, they sometimes take liberties.''

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