Tuesday, August 23 2005 19:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's claim that Bihar Governor Buta Singh was his nominee rocked Parliament today (Aug 23, 2005) and the Government took shelter citing rules that the issue of a Governor's removal could not be taken up without a substantive motion with 14 days notice.

The issue rocked both houses of Parliament in the pre-lunch session as agitated National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members demanded sacking of Lalu Prasad from the cabinet for his claim and removal of Buta Singh for his letter to Prasad for transfer of a senior Railway official who is facing vigilance inquiry. This led to brief adjournment of the two houses.

Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2:00 p.m. and Rajya Sabha till noon after the Question Hour in both the houses was disrupted. As Rajya Sabha reassembled, agitated BJP members raised the issue again with Ravi Shankar Prasad alleging that the claim of Lalu Prasad was 'very serious' as Governors could be appointed only by the President. He demanded the removal of the Railway Minister from the Union Cabinet.

As NDA members stuck to their position, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said rules clearly stated that the matter of resignation of a Governor could not be discussed unless a substantive motion with a 14-day notice was brought before the house.

Regarding the demand for sacking of Lalu Prasad, Patil said it was "not necessary to discuss the matter on the floor of the house." Allaying fears of the members that the assembly polls in Bihar might be postponed, Patil said government was clear that elections should be held in Bihar in the coming months.

It was for the Election Commission to indicate the dates and ensure that they are held in proper manner, he said. Earlier as the Lok Sabha assembled for question hour, BJP leader V K Malhotra, supported by his party colleagues and members of the JD(U) and Shiv Sena, sought the removal of the Bihar Governor alleging that he had "interfered" in the functioning of the Railway Ministry.

As Malhotra said that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had claimed that Buta Singh was his appointee, there was a furore in the House with RJD members charging the BJP leader with "misleading" it. Heated exchanges followed between both sides.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, while attempting to restore order, said the Governor's role cannot be discussed in this manner in the House. "You give a substantive motion and I shall consider it," he said. But as heated exchanges between the two sides persisted, the house was adjourned till 2:00 p.m.

In Rajya Sabha trouble broke out when BJP member S S Ahluwalia, supported by party colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad, raised the issue of RJD chief Lalu Prasad claims that the Bihar Governor was his nominee.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat repeatedly tried to prevent the agitated members from disrupting the Question Hour but BJP members rushed to the aisle and then moved towards theWell, from where they shouted slogans. As the opposition was unrelenting, the Chairman adjourned the house till 12:00 noon.

Amidst heated exchanges during the Zero hour later, AIADMK member N Jothi said the manner in which Governors were appointed was not proper as was done in the case of Tamil Nadu.

Observing that the President, Digvijay Singh (JD-U), appoints both Governor and Union Ministers said that the recent behaviour of a Governor and a central minister amounted to showing disrespect to the President.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Ram Deo Bhandari (RJD), alleged that the opposition party was getting perturbed because they have thrown out of power after having ruled for six years.