A day after Mayawati lashed out against Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari for not properly running the House, the BSP leader made a near-apology, saying that she had full faith in him and his ability in getting a proper discussion on the constitutional amendment to have reservations in promotions. “I respect you. I respect the Chair,” said a polite Mayawati on Thursday. This was in sharp contrast to her demeanour on Wednesday, when she accused the Chair of being derelict in his duty. Those remarks were later expunged from the records.
A contrite-sounding Mayawati said that she had been ‘hurt’ that the House was not allowed to function in the previous and current session, which prevented the introduction of the Constitutional Amendment Bill. The Samajwadi Party had been staunchly opposed to the Bill and repeatedly disrupted the Rajya Sabha by slogan-shouting and invading the Well of the House. “I have total faith that you will find a way for the Bill to be introduced,” said Mayawati. She also ‘requested’ the Prime Minister to speak to the ‘groups who were creating hurdles’ and find a way to bring the Bill before the House.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is also the leader of the House, said that the government has the ‘fullest faith’ and ‘highest regard’ for Ansari. “Respect for the Chairman of the House is a respect for maintaining the dignity of this House and we will work with all sections of the House to ensure that the Chair gets all the cooperation and all the respect that is due to you and to this august Chair,” he said, amidst thumping of desks. He assured that ‘ways and means’ had to be found to conduct the ‘business of the House smoothly’.
Echoing the sentiments, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said that the similarity in expression showed the ‘strength of India’s parliamentary democracy’. “I wish to assure you that this House will speak in one voice in upholding your honour, both as an individual and as also the dignity of the Chair that you occupy,” he said.
Similarly, other members in the House ‘associated’ themselves with senior members’ statements.