M A I N   N E W S

Cong seeks disqualification of Natwar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 26
In a bid to embarrass NDA-backed presidential nominee Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on the issues of constitutional propriety and conflict of interest, the Congress today moved a revised petition for the disqualification of former union minister K. Natwar Singh from the Rajya Sabha. Natwar Singh has signed the nomination papers of Shekhawat as a proposer.

The Congress, which yesterday attacked Shekhawat for hoping of victory on the basis of cross-voting, filed a petition against Natwar Singh with Shekhawat, who is also the authority to decide on disqualification as chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Natwar Singh, who was suspended last year after his differences with the party following the Volcker report, was prominently seated with NDA leaders when Shekhawat filed his nomination.

The petition was filed by party chief whip in the Rajya Sabha V. Narayanasamy on the ground that Natwar Singh had campaigned for the Samajwadi Party during assembly elections in Uttar Cong seeks disqualification of Natwar

Pradesh and had attracted provisions under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told mediapersons that Natwar Singh’s campaign for the Samajwadi Party was seen on the visual media and it was enough evidence for him to be disqualified under the relevant provisions.

He said Narayanasamy had filed disqualification petition against Natwar Singh in May but it was returned for the “completion of procedural 
formalities”.

Singhvi said Shekhawat made Natwar Singh his principal proposer despite being fully aware of impending disqualification petition against him.

Parliamentary affairs minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said it was ironic to see Natwar Singh progressive and liberal in the company of the RSS to which he claimed to be ideologically opposed.