Gavit stands tall in Parliament as MPs vouch for his conduct

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The allegation was serious, the accused a Congress Minister and Parliament was in session.

A perfect setting, as one would have thought, for the Opposition to bring to a climax its long-drawn offensive on the issue of criminal-politician nexus and stop the Manmohan Singh government in its tracks before it crosses the half-way mark on November 22.

But the events that unfolded in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today were more than an anti-climax. The accused was virtually crowned a hero and the television channel which had sought to sting was literally left stung.

The result was, perhaps, unprecedented in the annals of Parliament history.

Minister of State for Home Manik Rao Gavit, who unlike his media-savvy colleague Sriprakash Jaiswal keeps a low profile, stood tall in both Houses of Parliament as BJP and other non-ruling party members gave him a clean chit.

The Congress and the other ruling allies did not have to raise their voice in defence of the soft-spoken Gavit, an eighth-time MP from Maharashtra, as one leader after the other from the Opposition vouched for his undoubtable conduct.

In fact, the Opposition, which had bayed for the blood of about half-a-dozen UPA Ministers it said were either tainted with corruption or criminal charges, went much beyond defending Mr Gavit.

Mr L K Advani, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and several of his fellow MPs in the two Houses talked about the unjust humiliation meted out to the Minister and sought either a ban on or regulation of such media sting operations, pointing out that several countries did not permit similar adventures by television channels.

Several countries had laws which allowed such operations only by government agencies or those officially authorised for the purpose, he said.

Mr Mohan Singh (SP) said he personally knew Mr Gavit and several other MPs could also vouch for the integrity of the Minister and this should be kept in mind while discussing the alleged sting operation.

A TV channel yesterday allegedly showed the Minister having a conversation with Sundar Singh Bhati on matters relating to the purchase of land by his son-in-law and the need to prevent a jail official from getting posted in Bulandshahar jail, where Bhati is lodged.

Mr Iliyas Azmi (BSP) said Mr Gavit had been elected eight times to the Lok Sabha and he should not be humiliated like this by the media.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said media had an ''important position in our set-up. There may be occasions (like this), (but) we should not criticise the media.'' Endorsing the Speaker's view, Mr Advani said the role of the media was very important, but sting operations were not allowed in many countries.

Refuting the authenticity of the report, the Minister declared that he would not take part in any ''government activities'' till he was proved innocent and offered to face any sort of inquiry and quit politics if the charge was proved.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi assured the Rajya Sabha that strict action would be taken against the channel if its sting was found off target.

Did the channels, vying with one another for more eyeballs by adopting any means, sense the mood of Parliamentarians at a time when the ''sense of the House'' (on the Indo-US nuke deal) makes big news? UNI SN RP KN1727