The Hindu : National : Anguish over Vajpayee's letter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 12, 2006

National

National

Anguish over Vajpayee's letter

Neena Vyas

Non-NDA parties deeply anguished

NEW DELHI: Almost all non-National Democratic Alliance parties, including those that do not support the UPA got together on Friday to "condemn" the attempt by the NDA to undo parliamentary values by casting aspersions on the impartiality of the Chair (Somnath Chatterjee).

The impasse in Parliament seemed to be over, but the non-NDA parties were not ready to forget the letter written to Mr. Chatterjee by the former Prime Minister and NDA chairman, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, suggesting that he no longer commands the respect of the Opposition.

After the NDA leaders adopted a resolution saying they stood by every word Mr. Vajpayee had said, the non-NDA parties got together — this group included parties such as the Telugu Desam Party and the National Conference that are not supporting the UPA — to adopt their resolution expressing "deep anguish" at the "tone and contents" of Mr. Vajpayee's letter of August 8 written to the Speaker.

Deep shadow

"By casting aspersions on the impartiality in the official conduct of the Honourable Speaker, it casts a deep, dark shadow on the entire House and the democratic values that it cherishes and has nourished over decades."

The resolution had the support of the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, RSP, Forward Bloc, DMK, RJD, TDP, BSP, SP, National Conference, Muslim League, NCP, PDP, Kerala Congress, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.

"Painful"

The resolution states: "The letter [written by Mr. Vajpayee] is more painful because it emanates from the pen of a person who has himself struggled to uphold the dignity of the House over several decades and is known for his commitment to parliamentary values. The Speaker is more of an institution rather than a person and any aspersions on the keystone of Parliamentary democracy is an indictment upon all its constituents, who have faithfully served the people of India for five decades and more. Large numbers of leaders, including parties belonging to the UPA and outside, feel strongly that under no circumstances and provocation should there be any reflection on the conduct of the Chair in any form or manner. The above parties and leaders unequivocally condemn such design."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi offered only one terse comment on the state of affairs: "Andar ka impasse khatam, bahar jung zari hai" — the impasse inside is over, but the confrontation continues outside.