New Delhi, March 12 A day after Rajya Sabha BJP member Baburam Nishad criticized the West Bengal government for alleged lapses at President Droupadi Murmu's event in the state, TMC Chief Whip Nadimul Haque wrote to Chairman C P Radhakrishnan seeking the removal of the "factually incorrect" statement.
In a letter to the chairman, Haque referred to the issue raised during Zero Hour on March 11 by Nishad on "concerns over alleged protocol violations during the president's visit to West Bengal".
Citing Rule 238 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, the TMC leader said that members are prohibited from making statements about the conduct of persons in high authority unless the discussion is based on a substantive motion drawn in proper terms.
He noted that the explanation to the rule states that "persons in high authority" include those whose conduct can only be discussed through a substantive motion under the Constitution or such other persons whose conduct, in the opinion of the chairman, should be discussed through such a motion.
Haque also referred to Rule 238 (vi), which states that members shall not use the President's name for the purpose of influencing the debate.
The TMC MP requested the chairman to issue directions for removing the statements under Rule 261 of the Rajya Sabha rules.
He further stated that "deliberately making a misleading statement may be considered a breach of privilege and contempt of the House," citing the Parliamentary reference text 'Rajya Sabha at Work'.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Nishad alleged a protocol violation during the President's visit to West Bengal last week.
President Murmu had expressed her displeasure over the change of venue of the Santal conference, which she attended in the state, and the absence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ministers during her visit.
Murmu was invited to the annual programme, originally scheduled at Bidhannagar in Siliguri. However, citing security and other logistical reasons, authorities shifted the venue to Goshaipur near Bagdogra airport.
When the President arrived at the venue on Saturday afternoon, only a handful of people were present. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb was the only state government representative present at the airport to receive her.
Murmu said that she was "very sad" that the people were unable to attend the conference because it was held so far away.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Banerjee asserted that there was no breach of protocol at Murmu's programme in Siliguri and stated that the responsibility of mismanagement at the function, if any, lies with its private organisers and the Airports Authority of India, which provided the venue.
