The Hindu Business Line : Speaker calms storm

THE Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Somnath Chatterjee, is credited with running an orderly and disciplined House as he sets much store by conventions and holds deep respect for institutions. He has time and again voiced his vexatious concern over the suspension of Question Hour where important issues of governance and matters of public policy are raised by members of all parties and Ministers respond.

Yet, when the Lok Sabha convened on Tuesday morning, the Speaker had to be up on his feet repeatedly to restore order as the agitated Opposition members sought to suspend Question Hour to take up an adjournment motion against the Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Prasad, for his alleged terming the Bihar Governor his `nominee'.

The BJP leader, Mr V. K. Malhotra, supported by his party colleagues and members of the Janata Dal(U) and the Shiv Sena, sought the removal of the Bihar Governor, Mr Buta Singh, alleging that the latter had interfered in the functioning of the Railway Ministry.

When Mr Malhotra further alleged that the Railway Minister had claimed that Mr Buta Singh was his appointee, there was commotion in the House with Rashtriya Janata Dal members protesting against dragging the name of the Governor.

The RJD leader, Mr Devendra Prasad Yadav, citing rules, said the conduct of people in high offices cannot be discussed without a substantive motion and that the Opposition's attempt to bring in the Governor's name would set a wrong precedent.

Even as Mr Devendra Yadav was trying to prevent other members from raising the issue, the JD(U) leader, Mr Raghunath Singh, listed the transfer of a honest officer in Bihar by the Railway Minister, Mr Lalu Yadav's his differences with the State Chief Secretary and also Mr Lalu's alleged remark that he had appointed the Bihar Governor as an "irresponsible" statement of the Railway Minister and that he should not be in the Union Cabinet. He also sought the recall of the Governor of Bihar.

As members of the Opposition persisted with their twin demands, the Speaker, in his inimitable manner, tried to lighten the surcharged atmosphere by stating that all members well know that the President appoints Governors. "You know, I know and everybody knows and ignore the bravado" of the Minister, he said.

This calmed the House and the SP member, Mr Ram Gopal Yadav, took the opportunity to suggest to the Speaker he adjourn the House till the afternoon to pass the crucial National Employment Guarantee Bill.

This idea was readily endorsed by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Gulam Nabi Azad, who said that as members cutting across the party line had spoken on the Bill till close to midnight on Monday, it was but proper that the reply to the Bill and its passage form the main business of the day.

Not to miss an opportunity, the Speaker lauded all the members who took part in the long discussion on the Bill for their "cooperation" and said he would adjourn the House till the afternoon to pass the National Employment Guarantee Bill.

Thus, did the Bill of the UPA Government escape from being derailed because of the alleged remarks of its own Cabinet Minister.

But, in the process, Question Hour, Zero Hour and two calling attention motion on violation of labour laws and fake universities were sacrificed.

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