Condemning the decision to grant extension to the lok Sabha panel probing AAP MP Bhagwant Mann’s videography issue, the party alleged it was an “unprecedented witchhunt” with the entire BJP “ganging up” against him.
AAP leader Ashutosh alleged that on July 18, “two officials of the Home Ministry” had showed up at a Naturopathy Clinic in Bengaluru where Mann was undergoing treatment. The officials enquired about the Sangrur MP and took pictures, he claimed.
Ashutosh said this vindicated AAP’s stand that its MPs and MlAs were being “hounded” by the Narendra Modi dispensation. Khetan said by providing an extension to BJP MP Kirti Somaiya-headed nine-member panel, a perception was being created that Mann had committed a “blunder” or a “terror act”. The matter should have ended with Mann’s unconditional apology in the floor of the House, Khetan said.
“This is an unprecedented witchhunt against a lone MP. His voice is being gagged as he consistently raises issues such as farm crisis in Punjab. The same Parliament has 34 per cent MPs with criminal cases pending against them.”Why no action is taken against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri who had used disparaging language against members of the minority community on the floor of the HouseIJ” Khetan asked.
Ashutosh alleged that two “inebriated” BJP MPs, had recently abused TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on the Parliament House premises, “but they have not been acted against”.