BJP-JD(U) clash in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of changed political equations, JD(U) and BJP today clashed once again in Rajya Sabha, third time in the Monsoon session with Shivanand Tiwari from the former NDA ally attacking Narendra Modi for his reported stand on manual scavenging.

This was the first session in Parliament ever since JD(U) walked out of the NDA fold on June 16 over Modi being made BJP campaign committee cheif bringing to an end their 17-year-long alliance. Ever since the two parties have been sparring.

This time Tiwari, a senior member of JD(U) attacked Modi referring to a 2008 report in a national daily saying the Gujarat Chief Minister had stated that those engaged in manual scavenging are "doing it because they feel, they get spiritual pleasure".

"We have a Chief Minister, who makes a speech among officials of his state, which is a matter of concern. He says that those who engaged in manual scavenging are doing from generations and that he says he is not ready to accept that they are doing it under compulsion.

He says they are doing it because they feel that they get spiritual pleasure. This report was published in 2008," Tiwari said.

As members from some parties asked, who was that CM, Tiwari said, "that Chief Minister is the Gujart Chief Minister, whose name is now coming as a Prime Ministerial candidate. It was he, who said this...if such a person occupies the Chair (of Prime Minister) in the country even by mistake, you think what will be the plight of the nation."

Tiwari said this while pariticipating in the debate on the Manual Scavengers Bill.

A few mintues later, the BJP members led by Ravishankar Prasad protested against Tiwari's remarks. Prasad asked Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to expunge these remarks made by Tiwari against Modi.