Belgaum issue: Sena members walk out
Unhappy over not being allowed to raise the Belgaum border dispute issue, Shiv Sena members on Monday staged a walk out from Rajya Sabha.
As soon as the House assembled in the morning, Shiv Sena member Mr Manohar Joshi raised the issue and demanded an immediate discussion on it. But House C
hairman Dr Hamid Ansari said the matter was sub-judice. Mr Joshi, however, insisted that the matter could be discussed in the House and alleged that the Centre was shying away from a discussion from the issue, which was rejected by Congress member Mr Rajiv Shukla.
“I received a letter from Chairman’s office on August 2, which allowed a discussion on the issue. However on August 6, I received another letter which said my request has been rejected. How can this happen?” Mr Joshi asked. “One letter allows discussion, another disallows it. I feel there is some pressure on the Chairman,” he added. Seeking intervention of the parliamentary affairs minister, the Shiv Sena member said “We are trying to raise the issue for the last 12 days. I want an assurance from the minister.” He was joined by his party members including Mr Sanjay Raut as well as BJP member Mr Prakash Javadekar, a fellow Maharashtrian. Mr Raut even asked Power minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Mr Sushilkumar Shinde to raise the issue. But Mr Shinde said “Chair has already said that the issue would be discussed after consulting with competent authorities.”
To this, Dr Ansari said all members should work out the parameters as to what is sub-judice and what is not. Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mr Prithviraj Chavan said the Chairman has assured the members that a decision would be taken by tomorrow on discussing the issue.
Despite assurance from the Chairman, Mr Joshi said he would not be able to participate in the House’s proceedings.
“Though the Chairman has given an assurance, I will not be able to participate in the proceedings,” he said and walked out along with his party colleagues.
Maharashtra and Karnataka have been involved in a long standing dispute over Belgaum, which falls in Karnataka but has a large number of Marathi-speaking population.
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