Jethmalani's request for statement being examined by Kant

Jethmalani's request for statement being examined by Kant
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, JULY 31: Former Law Minister Ram Jethmalani today wanted to make a personal explanation in the Rajya Sabha on his resignation from the Cabinet but was informed that Chairman Krishan Kant was examining his notice.

When Jethmalani made the request soon after the lunch-recess, Vice-Chairman Suresh Pachouri said the Chairman had received his notice this morning and was examining it.

As per rules, only the Chairman can give permission, Pachouri told Jethmalani, who wanted to know what happened to his request for making an explanatory statement.

Jethmalani, who had been sitting in the House since the start of the question-hour, said he should be allowed to make a statement as allegations had been made against him in the House when he was not present. ``Every member has the right to defend himself,'' he said.

Both the former law minister and the present incumbent Arun Jaitley were sitting, armed with files and law-books.

Jethmalani was supported by Bratin Sengupta (CPI-M), Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi (JD-S) and other Opposition members. Sengupta said the House should be informed when Jethmalani was going to make his statement as it was a very serious and important matter.

Jethmalani said he had also given a notice for leave of absence from the House.

Jethmalani's utterances against the Chief Justice and the Attorney-General, culminating in his resignation from the Cabinet, rocked both houses of Parliament last week with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee making a statement over the episode.