6 Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs move breach of privilege notice against Jay Panda

NEW DELHI: Members from at least six opposition parties today moved a notice alleging breach of privilege and contempt of Rajya Sabha against Lok Sabha MP of BJD, Baijayant Jay Panda for his write up calling for "reducing" the power of the Upper House.

In the notice to Chairman of the Upper House Hamid Ansari, Rajya Sabha MPs Mohsina Kidwai (Congress), K C Tyagi (JD-U), Naresh Agrawal (SP), T K Rangarajan (CPI-M), D Raja (CPI)and Derek O 'Brien (Trinamool Congress) held that the views expressed by Panda constitute "breach of privilege" and "contempt of the House".

They took strong objection to Panda's write ups in some newspapers in which he said that the "reforms must reduce Rajya Sabha's power to block the popular mandate..." and favouring a "rethink on veto power of Rajya Sabha".

The members said that if any individual or authority violates or disregards any of the privileges, powers and immunities of House, he may be punished for breach of privilege and contempt of House, the sources said.

The members have moved the privilege notice at a time when a number of bills of the government are stuck in Rajya Sabha with a combined Opposition cornering it on many issues.

The issue of Rajya Sabha "blocking" bills has been raised by others as well including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in past. The government has been reaching out to parties to take them on board in Rajya Sabha for the passage of crucial legislations like the GST.

When contacted, JD-U general secretary Tyagi said, "We have moved a resolution against Panda as we feel his remarks in his write ups amount to contempt of the House."