Rajya Sabha recommends closure of Ronen Sen's episode

New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) In a major relief to Indian ambassdor to the US Ronen Sen who was embroiled in the controversy over his ''headless chicken'' remark, the Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee today recommended closure of the issue in view of the envoy's ''unconditional and sincere apologies.'' A similar committee of the Lok Sabha had earlier granted reprieve to Mr Sen.

''In view of Sen's acceptance of having made the impugned remarks and that the same were unwarranted, and having tendered his unconditional apology, the Committee recommends that the matter should be allowed to rest here,'' the Rajya Sabha Committee said in its report tabled in the House.

With today's recommendation of the Upper House, curtain has been brought down on the unsavoury controversy that had triggered tumult during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Mr Sen, who had played a key role in the formulation of the 123 civil nuclear deal with the US, had apologised to both the the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha panels for his remark about critics of the India-US nuclear deal, forcing some Left MPs to demand his recall.

''It was an act of indiscretion and it should not have been done'', Mr Sen, who was subjected to a volley of questions by members of the Rajya Sabha Privileges Committee, had said.

The Committee is headed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan.

Rajya Sabha committee members had reportedly asked him as to how a seasoned envoy like him could commit such an indiscretion. The envoy denied such suggestions.

He also clarified that 'headless chickens' was a colloquial phrase which should not have been used. He, however, conceded that what he spoke to the journalist was a private conversation not meant even for a third person.

Mr Sen was quoted saying in a media interview: ''Why do you have all this running around like headless chicken, looking for a comment here or comment there, and these little storms in a tea cup?'' The rather unsavoury remarks had angered MPs from various political parties, and they had sought his recall.

The envoy later said he was misquoted and his remarks referred not to politicians, but some journalists.

UNI