BJP scores a point,Darjeeling MP quits as panel head

After four months of digging in his heels and countering BJP pressure to resign,Jaswant Singh has suddenly put in his papers as Chairman of the coveted Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

After four months of digging in his heels and countering BJP pressure to resign,Jaswant Singh has suddenly put in his papers as Chairman of the coveted Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. His six-month tenure was to end in March.

Jaswant denied that he had acted under pressure or that the move was motivated. I am surprised and saddened that you see some calculation. There is life beyond calculation even in politics, the senior leader told reporters.

He also stressed that there was no change in his position on the grounds cited by the BJP for seeking his resignation. I wanted to establish a point,which has got established the primacy of autonomy in the functioning of parliamentary committees… Continuing in office is not my overriding concern.

The Darjeeling MP also denied his decision had anything to do with the Gorkhaland issue,which has gained fresh momentum in the wake of the Telangana crisis. According to sources,Jaswants resignation was the result of a relentless behind-the-scene drive by the BJP. The party underlined to the Speaker that the PAC couldnt function in the manner desired if a main opposition party as itself continued to boycott it over Jaswants continuance.

The party reportedly pleaded with the Speaker to invoke Rule 258 (2) of the Rules of Business and Procedure which envisages that if the chairman is for any reason unable to act,the Speaker may appoint another chairman in his place.

The BJP position was that the idea behind having a member of the main opposition party as the PAC chairman was to ensure that the 22-member panel served as an effective watchdog over the government. The committee examines accounts showing appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for government expense and scrutinises Comptroller and Auditor General reports. With the government seeing little gain in persisting with an avoidable irritant in its relationship with the main opposition party,Jaswant got the hint and stepped down.

The resignation,effective from December 31,was promptly accepted by the Speaker. In the meanwhile,Jaswant announced,he would submit three reports on the NREGA,mid-day meal scheme and Scorpion deal by December 24.

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He maintained that it was incorrect for political parties to ask chairmen of parliamentary committees to vacate their seats. This too is an encroachment on the propriety and prerogative of Parliament and its committees,as tomorrow parties would say write this in the report or dont write this. Jaswant was tightlipped on speculation that his resignation was prompted by a rapprochement between him and the BJP.

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