'Its An Affront To Sacred Institution Of Parliament': Congress MP Ramesh On ED Summoning LoP Kharge

Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said that this "was done with the sole purpose of harassing LoP and the Congress party."

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh.

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After the ED summoned opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge during the Monsoon Session, the Congress on Monday raised its ante against the probing agency, calling it an assault on the sacred institution of Parliament. Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh said that this "was done with the sole purpose of harassing LoP and the Congress party," news agency ANI reported. 

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh stated, "Under the circumstances, in keeping with the sanctity of Parliament & Parliamentarians and its time-honoured conventions, it is high time that presiding officers of both Houses may deliberate & ensure that such gross affronts on the Parliament & MPs does not recur."

Under the circumstances, in keeping with the sanctity of Parliament & Parliamentarians and its time-honoured conventions, it is high time that presiding officers of both Houses may deliberate & ensure that such gross affronts on the Parliament & MPs does not recur: Jairam Ramesh

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2022

He stated that, despite the fact that the House was in session, LOP followed the summons and went to the Young India office, where he was asked to be present for up to eight and a half hours.

"Notwithstanding this fact, in such matters, issuing of summons by ED or any law-enforcing agencies to any MP much less the Leader of Opposition when the Parliament is in session, is an outright affront to the sacred institution of Parliament and Parliamentarians," Ramesh said. 

According to Ramesh, the LoP is not an accused in any case, but the Enforcement Directorate summoned him on August 3 through email, seeking his attendance at the office of Young India Limited (YIL) in the National Herald building. 

"As already stated, LoP isn't an accused in National Herald case. LoP also assured that he would extend fullest cooperation & would meet when the Parliament is not in session," he further said. 

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha issued a statement on August 5 to the effect that Parliamentary privileges were not accessible in criminal proceedings.

(With Inputs From ANI)