Privilege motion notice against Irani submitted in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, March 1 A notice to bring a privilege motion against Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani was submitted to Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday, a day after a similar notice was submitted in the Lok Sabha.

"We have given a privilege motion against the HRD minister. The other day, HRD minister misled the house while discussing matters related to Hyderabad university. The minister has misled the nation through this parliament so we have moved a privilege against her," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the opposition had no response to the HRD minister's reply.

"I want to tell the leader of opposition, the discussion that happened, the reply was given with facts. You have no answer to that. You do not have any valid arguments so you ar giving invalid arguments," Naqvi said.

Azad was backed by other opposition members, and Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav said: "This is a serious issue, and we support it."

Rajya Sabha's Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien then said the notice is under consideration of Chairman Ansari.

"The notice has been received. It is under the consideration of honourable chairman," said the deputy chairman.

Naqvi hit out at the opposition saying: "It is not right that you are trying to suppress someone's voice through privilege (motion)."

The opposition members wanted to debate the issue, but the chair pointed out that it cannot be done unless the notice is admitted.

With AIADMK members protesting near the chairman's podium over former finance minister P.Chidambaram's son Karti, the house was soon after adjourned till 3 p.m.