Atalji was present in Parliament despite ill health:Speaker

Ranchi, Aug 25 (UNI) Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari today advised Jharkahnd ministers to emulate former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his stint in the erstwhile NDA government as to how to behave during the session.

The reference to Mr Vajpayee emerged when Mr Namdhari noticed that PWD (Roads) Minister Sudesh Mahto was absent during a starred question that remained inconclusive yesterday.

Expressing annoyance at the minister's attitude towards the House, the Speaker said Mr Vajpayee, when he was the Prime Minister, used to be present in Parliament throughout the day during sessions despite his ill health.

Taking the cue, Opposition Leader Sudhir Mahto said there was no need of attending the Assembly when the minister concerned was not present.

With discussion picking up, the PWD minister entered the House and said he went out for the question was taken up yesterday which remained inconclusive.

The questioner was Mr Israel Ansari (Cong).

UNI PRS PL DB1848