NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha members on Wednesday went on the offensive and demanded an enquiry into the motives behind the sting operations undertaken by media houses. This is the first time since Operation Duryodhan, which exposed the cash-for-questions scam on December 12, that the members have spoken out against the media.

Raising the matter, Prabhunath Singh (Janata Dal-United) said the evidence against at least three of the seven MPs named in Operation Chakravyuh, showing misuse of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme, was thin.

While maintaining that the guilty MPs should be brought to book, Mr. Singh said such sting operations impacted on the prestige of the House. "They are distorting facts to suit their story," he said. Operation Duryodhan was sold to a television channel for Rs. 58 lakhs by those who carried out the sting operation.

Echoing the sentiment, Mohan Singh (Samajwadi Party) said giving a bribe and even enticing someone to take bribe was a crime; so action should be taken against the journalists. An attempt was being made to undermine parliamentary democracy by showing politicians in a poor light, he said and demanded that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee.

With members insisting on a ruling, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said their demand would be considered. "We have to maintain the dignity of the House. If there are some self-corrections that are necessary, we should also do that. But we must all try to see that the dignity of this House is never affected or prejudiced by anybody, whether inside or outside."

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