Cong MPs' slur against minister, govt attracts privilege motion

A spat flared up between Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Renuka Chowdhury in the Rajya Sabha after it was adjourned on Friday.

The NDA is now contemplating moving a privilege motion against the two Congress leaders for reportedly using “derogatory language” against  Harsimrat, who hold the Food Processing portfolio in the Modi government.

After the House was adjourned due to a ruckus over AAP MP Bhagwant Mann’s controversial filming of Parliament building, Harsimrat was reportedly talking to DMK MPs. Former Union minister  Ramesh came shouting and told Harsimrat that she was “not worthy of becoming a minister” and used foul language, which surprised the SAD minister.

Another Congress MP Renuka followed Ramesh’s outburst and used “derogatory words” like “the government and ministers are ‘kachra’ (filth)”, said sources close to the minister.

The Congress leaders were upset since a private members bill by its MP K V P Ramachandra Rao was listed in the Rajya Sabha for consideration, but could not be passed due to the commotion by BJP and SAD members that led to the adjournment of the House.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2015, sought to amend the existing legislation for providing a special package for Andhra Pradesh, which was bifurcated during the previous UPA regime.

As the Opposition enjoys majority in the RS, the Congress was keen to get the private members bill passed to embarrass the NDA government, which has been insisting that 14th Finance Commission does not allow giving special status to any state and that it was not part of the UPA’s reorganisation bill cleared by Parliament.  
Harsimrat told reporters that Renuka tried to “intimidate” her and used derogatory language, calling the government “kachra”. On the contrary, Renuka termed it a “political drama” and “attention-seeking exercise” by SAD knowing that they were going to lose Punjab in next year’s Assembly elections.

Harsimrat later took up the issue by Congress leaders with the NDA. A motion will be moved jointly by BJP MP Bhupender Yadav and SAD MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Monday seeking action against Ramesh and Renuka for breach of privilege.