According to the media reports, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu will take over the matter of the disqualification as MP’s, of rebel JD(U) leaders Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar, rather than passing the matter to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges.
This decision was taken as JD(U) under the leadership of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had demanded that the decision of the lawmakers’ disqualification should not be delayed by sending it to the parliamentary panel.
As per the reports, the decision may be taken before the Parliament’s Winter Session which begins in mid-November.
Nitish Kumar broke the grand alliance with RJD and Congress and joined hands with BJP to form the new government in Bihar. He took this decision citing that he was a man of principle and he adamantly followed zero tolerance against corruption. Since the RJD supremo, Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav were charged with many corruption cases against him, Kumar did not want to continue the relationship with such leaders. Kumar had demanded the resignation of Tejashwi Yadav from the post of the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, which the latter denied and hence Kumar broke the mahagathbandhan.
This decision of Kumar brought in both appreciation and criticim. It own party members and one of the foundig members of the party, Sharad Yadav felt backstabbed as Nitish had not informed him anything about the breakup, he rebelled against the party. Along with him few other members also, including Ali Anwar joined Sharad feeling that Kumar’s decision was wrong.
Sharad claimed that the real JD(U) was with him, and he also filed a petition to claim the party symbol, though that was denied to him. Sharad also said that the JD(U) under his leadership will continue the alliance with RJD and Congress, which was formed with the mandate of the people. JD(U) leaders, including Nitish Kumar, had more than once indicated to Sharad that they are ready to hold a discussion and answer all his question, but he should not join hands with RJD and Congress.
Despite getting a warning of being removed from the parliament seat, Sharad Yadav attended the grand rally organised by RJD supremo, Lalu Prasad Yadav. Kumar’s JD(U) had said that if Sharad crossed the red line to share the stage with the corrupt leaders, strict actions will be taken against him.
The JD(U) leaders RCP Singh and Sanjay Jha, on 5 Sep, submitted a petition to Naidu, seeking the disqualification of the two MPs. Since no action was taken till now, the party requested to expedite the matter. Responding to the request of Kumar’s faction, Venkaiah Naidu has no taken the matter into his hands and not sending it to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges.