Controversial ordinance: Sitaram Yechury accuses government of mischief

NEW DELHI: Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury accused the government of indulging in "mischief" and carrying out " selective propaganda" on the issue of controversial ordinance on disqualification of convicted lawmakers.

"While we don't know who is behind this, it shows how the government is selectively leaking" information on the August 13 (all-party) meeting in which, the government claims that all parties supported the bill, Yechury told PTI.

"This is mischief. Selective propaganda is being done by the government attributing some opinions to me," he said when asked about the minutes of the meeting which have been circulated to the media.

He also said that no minutes of the meeting have been circulated to the MPs who had participated in it. "As far as the CPI(M) is concerned, our position on the issue has been in the public domain."

Meanwhile, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said a convicted legislator "has to have safeguards in the sense that appeals against lower court decisions are often overturned by the higher courts", adding that the matter should have been discussed in Parliament.

There was a feeling among the people that the safeguard clause could be "used to protect convicted legislator" and this should also be taken into account. "In one sense, many parties will have to have a relook at this issue."

"The (parliamentary) Standing Committee will look into it. I am sure parties will then express their views and we will also discuss this matter now. I think our party will also veer towards saying that such a law or bill is not required," Karat said.