The Hindu : National : Pappu Yadav’s claim triggers uproar

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Pappu Yadav’s claim triggers uproar

NEWDELHI: A claim by Rashtriya Janata Dal member Pappu Yadav in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that BJP leader V.K. Malhotra met him in Tihar Jail and asked him to vote against the trust motion led to noisy scenes in the House which was briefly adjourned. But Mr. Malhotra denied the charge.

During the debate on the trust vote when Mr. Malhotra was going hammer and tongs against the UPA accusing it of taking the help of convicted MPs to save the government, Mr. Yadav sprang on his feet and made the charge against the BJP leader. This prompted members in the treasury benches to shout ‘shame, shame’ as Mr. Yadav, who is convicted in a criminal case, continued to repeat the charge. He was supported by another convicted MP, Mohammad Shahabuddin, who was seated by his side.

In the din, Mr. Malhotra denied the charge, saying “I have never met him. I have never spoken to him even once.”

Heated exchanges followed between the treasury benches and the Opposition, prompting Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.

After Mr. Chatterjee left the Chair, Mr. Yadav and Mr. Shahabuddin were seen speaking to their leaders, including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad.

Several senior Congress leaders like Union Ministers Shivraj Patil, Kapil Sibal, Renuka Chowdhury and others were seen huddled together discussing the matter. AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi was also seen speaking to his mother. Mr. Yadav and Mr. Shahabuddin later went into the Speaker’s chamber.

Speaker’s appeal

When the House reassembled, the Speaker expressed “great agony” and appealed to members not to make personal remarks. “Power is not everything,” Mr. Chatterjee asserted. — PTI

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