Oppn asks Kerala assembly speaker to expunge Sonia Gandhi remarks

Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan has written to speaker A N Shamseer seeking the expunging of derogatory remarks allegedly made by ministers against Sonia Gandhi during proceedings in the assembly.In his letter, Satheesan cited rule 285 of the rules of procedure and conduct of business of the assembly, which bars defamatory or accusatory allegations against any individual without prior notice to the speaker. He also pointed out that established convention requires such allegations to be backed by evidence.The remarks were made during protests by opposition members demanding the resignation of the devaswom minister in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. Satheesan alleged that ministers M B Rajesh, V Sivankutty and Veena George made derogatory comments against Sonia, former Congress president and MP, linking her to the case.He referred to past rulings of the chair, which mandate stricter standards of proof when allegations concern persons outside the House. Stating that the remarks violated established rules and parliamentary decorum, Satheesan urged the speaker, under rule 307, to expunge the comments from assembly records, prevent their telecast on Sabha TV and issue directions to avoid recurrence of such violations.