BSP Chief Mayawati's resignation as Rajya Sabha MP accepted

Lucknow: The resignation of the Bahujan Samajwadi party Chief Mayawati as the Member of Parliament has been accepted, on Thursday, by the Rajya Sabha.

It is to be recalled that the BSP chief had resigned from her post alleging that she was not allowed to put her views in the House. Mayawati had, on Tuesday, sent a three-page resignation letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, stating that she was resigning as she was not being allowed to speak in the house on important matters.

She had sought time to speak under Rule 267 but Kurien, who was presiding over the Rajya Sabha at that time, gave her just three minutes to speak as per Zero Hour rule. This enraged Mayawati, who announced then and there itself that she was quitting.

Also read: Rajya Sabha urges Mayawati to take back her resignation

On Wednesday last, Kurien had stated that he had no intention of not letting Mayawati speak in the house, but it was so that he had not taken up the 267 notices by that time.

“Let me set the record straight. I would have allowed her to speak under (Rule) 267 later. But when I came in the house, she was already up to speak. So, I allowed her three minutes out of turn. I even bypassed the Leader of Opposition to allow her to speak first,” Kurien said.

“It was only a procedural matter. We have immense respect for Mayawatiji… I ask her, and I presume it is the sentiment of the entire house, to reconsider her decision (of quitting),” Kurien said.