SP demands Parliamentary inquiry into disproportionate assets issue

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Samajwadi Party today accused the Congress of ''unleashing a political vendetta'' against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his family, and demanded that a Committee of Parliament be constituted to look into the allegation of disproportionate assets against him.

The party's Lok Sabha Floor Leader Prof Ram Gopal Yadav said during Zero Hour that the party would be happy if the inquiry was conducted by a Supreme Court judge or a Parliament Committee.

Referring to the Supreme Court direction to the CBI to inquire into the disproportionate assets case against Mr Yadav, he said the people had lost their faith in the premier investigative agency.

In this context, Prof Yadav said the Chief Minister had been filing the details of his property and other income before the Election Commission. ''He does not own any property which is not declared in any part of the country,'' he added.

He said Mr Akhilesh Yadav, the son of Mr Mulayam Singh, had also been harassed despite the fact that he was serving his second term as a member of the Lower House.

When Prof Yadav made some references about the judiciary, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee asked him not to reflect on any judge or any court. ''Please don't make any comment on judges,'' the Chair told the member repeatedly.

Prof Yadav, however, pleaded that he had not cast aspersion on any judge or court.

Mr Akhilesh Yadav, who was present in the house, was given permission by the Chair to make a submission on the issue.

He alleged that he was being targeted by the Congress.

Alleging that a leading newspaper had cast aspersion on him by publishing a false report on his assets, Mr Akhilesh Yadav sought the intervention of the Speaker to protect his privileges as a member.

He clarified that he had been regularly filing returns ever since he passed out of the engineering college. ''I am not facing any charges of corruption,'' he added.

The Speaker assured the member that he would not allow any member to suffer any injury without a case.

UNI