BJP MLA Vijender Gupta today rejected the allegation of having committed breach of privilege by favouring "abolition" of Rajya Sabha in an article but said he was ready expressing regret, as he responded to a notice by the Delhi Assembly Speaker on the issue.
Gupta said the allegation made was "vague" and that there was not even a prima facie case for drawing an inference that he had committed a breach of privilege of the Upper House. He contended that the provision of privilege cannot be used to "suppress and silence" reasonable criticism and opinion.
Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel had last month sought an explanation from Gupta following a communication from Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari to initiate necessary action against him for allegedly favouring "abolition" of the Upper House.
Ansari had asked the Delhi Speaker to take necessary action against Gupta holding that "the matter seems to involve prima facie question of privilege", while acting on a complaint by JD(U) MP K C Tyagi, who accused the BJP MLA of casting aspersions on the members of Rajya Sabha.
Referring to a newspaper article written by Gupta, who is the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Tyagi alleged that the BJP MLA sought to underline the differences between the two Houses of Parliament and had suggested abolition of the Rajya Sabha.
"I had absolutely no ill will or disrespect either towards the honourable institution of the Upper House or for that matter against any of its honourable members. I hold the both in my highest esteem.
"However, if any statement made by me in the article has inadvertently offended the sensibility of the House or any of its members in particular then I deem it appropriate to clarify that it was not written with the intention to defame or otherwise bring disrepute to any member of the house qua their performance as a member of the house," Gupta said in his reply.
Gupta said if the article unwittingly hurt the sentiments
of Tyagi, then he has no hesitation in expressing "regret".
In his privilege notice to Ansari against Gupta under Rule 188 of conduct of the business in the House, Tyagi had held that the views expressed by the BJP lawmaker amounted to "breach of privilege and contempt of the House."
In his communication to Delhi Assembly Speaker, Ansari said since one House cannot claim or exercise any authority over members of the other House, he was referring the matter to Goel for further necessary action.
There were indications that Goel may refer the case to Assembly's Privileges Committee and, based on its report, a final decision on the fate of the BJP leader will be taken by the Speaker.
The row has come at a time when a number of leaders have raised the issue of role and relevance of Rajya Sabha in the wake of the Upper House not clearing a number of bills passed by the Lok Sabha where the government has majority. The NDA does not have a majority in the Upper House.
In his complaint, Tyagi had also noted "for last few weeks, questions have been raised over role and relevance of Rajya Sabha. There is a demand to bring necessary change in the Constitution to limit the powers and role of the Rajya Sabha".
Gupta, in his reply, said constitutionally bestowed power of the August House is to be used "extremely sparingly" and not to undermine or discourage expression of ideas and raising of legitimate concerns.
