Debate on Pathak report generates heat

New Delhi, Aug 22: ''I have forgotten law after sitting here,'' Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee stated in the House during a during a debate on the Justice R S Pathak Authority report and the government's action taken report (ATR).

The Speaker's remark came in response to an observation by Ms Maneka Gandhi (BJP) during her over one-hour speech which was marked by angry interruptions from the treasury benches, including three Cabinet Ministers -- Kapil Sibal (Science and Technology), P Chidambaram (Finance) and Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi (Parliamentary Affairs).

In a bid to drive home her point of view, Ms Gandhi said Mr Chatterjee, being a lawyer himself, was perhaps in a better position to understand that she was building up her case against the ''accused'' in the UN oil-for-food scam.

The Speaker said he had forgotten law after he started presiding over the House and remarked that he had no doubt after hearing Ms Gandhi's speech that she would have become a good lawyer and demolished the contentions of her opponents if she had chosen the profession.

Ms Gandhi said though she was not a lawyer, her son, Varun Gandhi, might become one. At this, the Speaker said, ''My best wishes to him. But such an angry mother'' won't be of much help to her son in the profession.

''Fortunately, he is such a peer,'' Ms Gandhi observed, prompting the Speaker to convey his wishes once again.

Ms Gandhi's arguments were repeatedly interrupted by loud protests from the treasury benches and at one stage the House was adjourned for 20 minutes following a reference she made to her sister-in-law and Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The debate, under Rule 193, also witnessed a record number of expunges by the chair, including the interruptions made by the Ministers.

Mr Dasmunsi said Mr Sibal would reply to the debate after Ms Gandhi's speech and if there was any interruption the whole proceedings should be expunged.

UNI

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