New Delhi, Feb 13: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said the government has dropped its plan to move a motion against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over alleged unparliamentary remarks against the Prime Minister, as a BJP MP has already submitted a notice for a “substantive motion” on the same issue.
Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said the Speaker would decide whether the matter should be referred to the House Privileges Committee, the Ethics Committee, or taken up directly in the Lok Sabha. “No decision has been taken yet,” he added.
He clarified that since a private member has already given notice, the government will not introduce a separate motion.
On Thursday, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said he had submitted a notice for a substantive motion against Gandhi, seeking cancellation of his Lok Sabha membership and demanding that he be barred from contesting elections for life.
Dubey alleged in his notice that the Congress leader visited foreign countries and associated with organisations such as the Soros Foundation, USAID and the Ford Foundation, claiming he colluded with “anti-India forces.”
A substantive motion is an independent proposal submitted for the approval of a legislative House to express its opinion or decision on a specific matter. (Agencies)
