New Delhi : Aheated discussion took place in the Rajya Sabha on Friday when Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the House that a wad of cash was found on a seat belonging to Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi by security officials.
“I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Apparently, a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials from seat number 222 which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana,” Mr Dhankhar said.
”The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an investigation takes place and the same is underway,” Dhankhar said.
Congress president and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was up on his feet to defend his party colleague, who was not present in the House. He said, ”The Chair should not have named the Member if the matter was under investigation.”
He said, “I am not going beyond that, I know that you will not allow us. You said that this matter is under investigation then his/her name should not have been taken. I request that until the investigation is done and the authenticity of the incident is established, a member should not be named. ”
He further asked, ”Can he do like this? ‘Aaisa chillar kaam karte hai aur desh ko barbaad kar rahe hai yeh log (BJP)(They are doing petty things, destroying the nation).”
Responding, Dhankar said, “The Leader of the Opposition has said one thing that when the matter is under investigation he should not be making a debate on it. I would really appreciate it, and this may be followed. Number two, in responding to the LoP I was extremely concerned and therefore I might myself assert whether the member has really attended the House. I could not go more than that.”
