PARLIAMENT DIARY
VICE-PREZ NAIDU KEEN TO IMPLEMENT BAN ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
In the last session, Rajya Sabha chairman Venkiah Naidu had constituted an ad hoc committee on child pornography and its impact on the society. Following the suggestions given by the committee, Mr Naidu seems to be keen on implementing the recommendations. Every day, he has been inviting the ministers concerned to go through the report and suggest possible affirmative action. Moreover, he has been informing committee members about the outcome of the regular meetings. Some of the Opposition MPs, too, are very satisfied with Mr Naidu’s initiative. They feel that he is forcing the Union government to take some concrete measures on the report.
WILL YECHURY ACCEPT PROPOSAL TO BECOME RS MP FROM BENGAL?
In April, there will be five vacancies in the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. According to the strength in the legislature, Trinamul could have four of its MPs elected easily. The contest would be for the fifth seat. If Congress and Left come together, they could win the seat easily. The West Bengal state committee of the CPI (M) wants Sitaram Yechury as their candidate from the state. But Mr Yechury has already conveyed to the party that he does not wish to break the party's tradition of not seeking nomination after completing two consecutive terms. But the Congress leadership is trying to convince him. The Bengal CPI (M) also has an alternate plan to nominate lawyer Bikash Bhattacharya. However, Mr Bhattacharya’s nomination may force West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to put up a candidate against him.
RS CHAIR CALLS OUT DISSIDENT TMC MP FOR STALLING HOUSE PROCEEDINGS
The chairman of the Rajya Sabha called out a group of Trinamul MPs for obstructing the normal functioning of the House. Among the names were Dola Sen and K.D. Singh. As per reports, Mr Singh remained absent during crucial voting days and never joined his party colleagues to protest against the government. TMC MP Nadimul Haq, however, objected to the chairman calling out Ms Sen, who was not present in the house. Nevertheless, he deliberately omitted mentioning Mr Singh, who was also not present in the House, when TMC MPs rushed to the well of the House. It is being said that the Trinamul did not mention his name to avoid creating any confusion about his candidature for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in April.