Bhagwant set to be banned for rest of session
Friday, 09/12/2016
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NEWDELHI:AAP lawmaker Bhagwant Mann is set to face suspension from attending this session, after irking all his sympathisers in the probe panel on his video act. The stage was all set for Mann to get only a token one-day suspension. But he decided to spoil his chances.
The winter session will end on December 16.
On Friday, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will read out the probe panel’s report on Mann’s video act and seek a view of the House. The panel has unanimously recommended a ban from the ongoing winter session of Parliament.
After the panel and Mann came to an understanding that the MP will unconditionally apologize for videographying his journey from Delhi home to Parliament and withdraw his earlier letters, Mann did a U-turn.
In his latest communication to the panel Mann ruled out any apology and maintained he has done no wrong. He also announced that he will not take back the letters in which he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modit for breaching security of the Pathankot air base.
“He cheated all of face. Because of him, we have eggs on our face,” said a senior MP who was defending him in the panel and negotiating for a lighter punishment. Although there is just a week left for this session, the punishment will be an embarrassment for the lawmaker. No MP has been ever punished for taking video and breaching security.
Earlier, the Congress and even its arch rivals — the AIADMK and the BJD — joined hands to oppose the move. Even Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress wanted no punishment for Mann.
