Speaker threatens to act against 51 MPs including Lalu, Kalyan

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has threatened to act against 51 members including Union Minister R P N Singh and leaders like Lalu Prasad, Kalyan Singh and Babulal Marandi if they failed to disclose their assets soon.

She has sent letters to leaders of several political parties asking them to ensure that their members submit declaration of wealth by their members at the earliest.

In letters to leaders of Congress, BJP, BSP, DMK, NCP and RJD and some others, Kumar has warned that any "wilful contravention of the rules can be dealt with "in the same manner as a breach of privilege of the House".

Some of the members who have failed to submit their declaration on assets and liabilities include Tapas Pal of the Trinamool Congress, Digvijay Singh (independent) and Congress members Deepender Singh Hooda, Rao Inderjit Singh, Avtar Singh Badana, Sanjay Singh, Deepa Dasmunsi and Ponnam Prabhakar.

Kumar said that she has asked the party leaders to ensure that their members submit the details at the earliest.

MPs are required to submit the information within 90 days of taking oath. It is almost a year since the 15th Lok Sabha has been formed.