UPA allies, non-NDA parties condemn Vajpayee's letter

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The UPA allies and non-NDA parties in the Lok Sabha today condemned the letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

At a meeting of the non-NDA parties, attended also by the TDP, JD(S), SP and BSP, leaders of various parties expressed the view that Mr Vajpayee's letter not only undermined the dignity of the office of the Speaker but also of Mr Vajpayee's own image.

According to Minister for Parliamentary Affairs P R Dasmunshi, they stressed that the NDA or someone from the NDA, not necessarily the former Prime Minsiter, must express regret over the letter.

The meeting, convened by Defence Minister and Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee to ascertain the views of the non-NDA parties on the letter to the Speaker, authorised Mr Mukherjee to talk to Leader of the Opposition L K Advani in this connection and respond in the Lok Sabha.

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