War of words between govt and BJP on P C Chacko

NEW DELHI: The submission of a demand for removal of JPC Chief P C Chacko to the LokSabha Speaker by half of the panel members today sparked a war of words between the government and main opposition BJP.

Soon after 15 JPC members- from BJP, JD(U), Left parties, TMC, AIADMK, DMK and BJD- met Speaker Meira Kumar to express "no confidence" in Chacko, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath dismissed the act as "absolutely incorrect".

Kamal Nath compared this demand of political parties for Chacko's removal with somebody saying "after a judgement goes against him that the judge should be removed".

"These are all demands without any basis," he said. The 15 members opposed to Chacko have told the Speaker that Chacko has no moral right to continue as he has been "highly partisan, unfair and prejudicial".

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj countered Kamal Nath, saying he should remember that the JPC Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker and not by the government.

"Kamal Nath has no authority to say that Chacko will not resign. No confidence motion against P C Chacko has been moved by a majority of the members of JPC. Only six out of 15 signatories are from BJP," Swaraj said on her Twitter handle.

She underscored the fact that BJP is not the only party seeking Chacko's replacement and members from JD(U), AIADMK, DMK, TMC (both former UPA allies), Left parties and BJD have also pressed for his removal.

Nath, however, maintained these political parties are making demands which have "no basis, no substance" and hence the government cannot agree.

"Any demand, any discussion can be held on the floor of the House. These extra procedural methods are not appropriate and I have offered any type of discussion on the floor of the House. But one cannot possibly do it on the streets," he said.