New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday disapproved of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's attack on Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, saying the Chair should not be insulted. Yadav put the onus of proper functioning of Parliament on the government while accusing it of shirking its responsibility.
"The Chair should not be subjected to insult...whether it is Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha, there should be no comment against the respect of the Chair," he told reporters. Yadav, who is a member of Lok Sabha, said this when asked to comment on Mayawati's criticism of Ansari over disorder in Rajya Sabha.
Mayawati's outburst came over repeated disruptions in Rajya Sabha where she wants early consideration of Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill that provides for reservation to SCs/STs in government job promotions. Samajwadi Party is strongly opposing the bill, arguing that it will divide the society.
With regard to Parliament not being able to function properly for several days, the SP chief said, "This is not the task of the Chair but the government. The government is shirking (its responsibility)."
Yadav, whose party's support is crucial for the UPA, said the government should listen to others or hold talks with parties. "If there is an issue concerning the public, poor people or farmers, the government should listen...If the government does not listen, the opposition will have to speak," he said.
Yadav was evasive when asked whether Mayawati's issue of quota for SCs and STs in government job promotions was related to poor people and farmers. On reports that force, include marshals, may be used in Parliament against SP members who are stalling consideration of the Bill, Yadav expressed confidence that no such thing would happen.
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