BJP MLA Vijender Gupta may land in trouble with Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel asking Privileges Committee of the House to initiate a probe against him for allegedly favouring "abolition" of the Rajya Sabha.
The move comes after Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari sent a communication to Goel asking for initiation of necessary action against Gupta for writing an article in a newspaper seeking 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.
"I have asked the Privileges Committee of the House to probe the matter," Goel told PTI.
The Speaker in March had sought an explanation from Gupta on the issue and in his reply, the BJP MLA justified his remarks saying he wanted a debate on the issue and there was "nothing wrong" in his opinion.
However, not satisfied with Gupta's reply, the Speaker now has referred the matter to Privileges Committee of the House. Goel said the report of the committee will be tabled on the floor of the House and "appropriate action" may be taken thereafter.
Referring to the newspaper article written by Gupta, who is leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Tyagi had alleged that the BJP MLA sought to underline the differences between the two Houses of Parliament and had suggested abolition of the Rajya Sabha.
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.
When contacted, Gupta said the sending the matter to Privilege Committee was politically motivated.
