NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P J Kurien, who probably chaired his last session in Rajya Sabha Friday, came under attack from BJP over failing to get Prevention of Corruption Amendment Bill passed by voice vote in the house.
According to sources, parallel was drawn when in a similar situation Kurien managed to pass the AP Reorganisation Bill in 2013.
"He was asked questions that why he did not pass the anti corruption bill by voice vote while he managed it during the AP Reorganisation Bill in 2013," said sources.
Sources said that Kurein clarified saying unlike in present situation, no one had asked for division though TDP and TMC were in the well.
The TMC has asked for division Wednesday as the bill was taken up but with members protesting in the well, voting was not possible.
Kurien regretted the failure to pass the Anti Corruption Bill.
"Tried to get it passed through the din by voice vote but with two Trinamul members asking for division, I had to go by the rules. Rules are very clear about division," said Kurien, who retires in July.
He further said that Chair has no discretion on this.
"Once division is sought then the Chair has to take it up or it will be a violation of the rules by the Chair itself. There was no order in the House, so the division could not be taken up despite several attempts. I went as far as I could under the rules," he added.