The BJP is also to confront the government on Monday on its ‘silence’ on US President George Bush’s remarks blaming India for the rise in global food prices.

Meanwhile, the Congress sought to underplay the Speaker’s move, saying that he had only referred the issue to the Privileges Committee and not extended any disciplinary proceedings against the members.

Disapproval

Along with the BJP and Shiv Sena , SP has also expressed strong disapproval of the Speaker’s decision.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, who  figures among the MPs being referred to the committee by the Speaker, said that the members would always raise issues such as price rise in Parliament and there could be ‘no compromise’ on the subject.  Among others, Bahujan Samaj Party MP Brajesh Pathak, is also in the dock following the Speaker’s action.

‘Shameful’

Meanwhile, the BJP on Sunday described as “shameful” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s “silence” on United States President George Bush’s remarks accusing India for the rising global food prices.

The party is likely to take on the government on the issue in Parliament.

Taking strong objection to the US President’s ‘irresponsible statements’, party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that Bush has now donned the role of a ‘Bread inspector’ from his earlier role of ‘Bomb inspector’.

He said that that the United States could not dictate eating habits to India.

Befitting reply

The BJP leader demanded that the government give a befitting reply to Bush’s remarks. Naqvi added that the Prime Minister  ‘is behaving like an officer on deputation’ and claimed that he  was ‘a total failure on domestic as well as foreign fronts.’