Sonia accepting Belgian honour a constitutional breach: scribe
A Kochi-based journalist who has sought disqualification of Congress President Sonia Gandhi as an MP for accepting a Belgian royal honour, has contended that the issue involved violation of the Constitution.
By PTI |
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Kochi-based journalist who has sought disqualification of Congress President Sonia Gandhi as an MP for accepting a Belgian royal honour, has contended that the issue involved violation of the Constitution.
In his reply to a communication from the Election Commission last week, P Rajan maintained that the honour conferred by the Belgian monarch, 'Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold' was a 'title' and not an 'award' and as such it involved violation of Article 18 of the Indian Constitution.
He also contended that Article 113 of the Belgian Constitution has described it as a 'title'.
According to reliable sources, the Election Commission had sought the opinion of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the matter and, later, Rajan's rejoinder was sought on MEA's views.
MEA's view was that the honour was not (not) a 'title' and only an 'award' and its acceptance did not involve any constitutional breach.
In November 2006, Rajan had written to the President seeking action on the matter, which was later referred to the Election Commission.
In his reply to a communication from the Election Commission last week, P Rajan maintained that the honour conferred by the Belgian monarch, 'Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold' was a 'title' and not an 'award' and as such it involved violation of Article 18 of the Indian Constitution.
He also contended that Article 113 of the Belgian Constitution has described it as a 'title'.
According to reliable sources, the Election Commission had sought the opinion of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the matter and, later, Rajan's rejoinder was sought on MEA's views.
MEA's view was that the honour was not (not) a 'title' and only an 'award' and its acceptance did not involve any constitutional breach.
In November 2006, Rajan had written to the President seeking action on the matter, which was later referred to the Election Commission.
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