Rahul writes to Speaker, wants to respond to ‘scurrilous’ allegations

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, again wrote to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, seeking permission to speak in the Lower House to respond to the allegations levelled at him by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led centre.
Addressing to the Lok Sabha speaker, Rahul Gandhi said in the letter, “I had written to you on March 17 seeking your permission to respond to totally baseless and unfair charges hurled at me by senior ministers in the Lok Sabha”. “I am making such a request again. I am seeking this permission under the conventions of Parliamentary practice, the constitutionally embedded rules of natural justice and Rule 357 of the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha,” he added.
He said that the Rule 357 of the Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha allows him to respond to the allegations in the Parliament.
Citing Rule 357, Rahul Gandhi stated, “A member may, with the permission of the speaker, make a per sonal explanation although there is no question before the House, in this case, no debatable matter may be brought forward, and no debate shall arise”.
Hitting out at the ruling regime, the Congress leader called the allegations against him as “scurrilous” and “defamatory”.
The letter stated, “Members of the ruling regime have made scurrilous and defamatory claims against me both within and outside Parliament. As a result of these allegations, and the rules invoked by these individuals, it is only appropriate that you kindly me a right to reply as contained in Rule 357 which allows for personal explanations”.