I was slapped by ‘leader’, cries expelled AIADMK member Sasikala Pushpa

Sasikala Pushpa, who reportedly slapped DMK MP Trichy Siva at Delhi airport, claimed threat to life.

New Delhi: AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa, who reportedly slapped DMK lawmaker Trichy Siva at Delhi airport on Saturday, claimed on Monday that she was slapped by a "leader" and faced threat to life in Tamil Nadu, alleging she was being forced to quit Rajya Sabha.

Pushpa first rushed into the Well of the House to get permission to make her statement and then broke down several times as she said she faced "life threat" from state government and alluded to her being slapped by a "leader". She however did not make it clear who slapped her and when.

Later, she was expelled from the party by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for "anti-party activities".

Read: Jayalalithaa sacks MP Sasikala Pushpa for slapping DMK leader

Raising the issue in the Upper House, she said, "If an MP is being slapped by a leader, where is human dignity," provoking strong protest from members of her own party AIADMK.

As she found support in opposition members who wanted the chair to allow her to make her full submission, A Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) walked into the well of the House and demanded that her remarks be expunged. "I have life threat... I am being compelled to resign from my constitutional post," she said. "Where is women's safety in this country I am being harassed. I need protection. In Tamil Nadu, I don't have safety. There is threat to my life."

Pushpa said she was thankful to her party leader for sending her to Rajya Sabha but "if a leader can slap an MP, I need protection. I need government's protection."

"I want to serve the country (and not resign)," she said. "I am not here in Rajya Sabha for any benefit."

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the Chairman was custodian of all members of the House and will protect her too. He however asked her not to mention anyone's name who cannot come to the House to defend himself or herself. The aggrieved member can write to the Chairman for necessary action, Kurien said.

But the opposition benches broke into protest saying she should be allowed to make her full submission. Women members of Congress party moved into aisles and vociferously raised the issue of her plight as a fellow member. Naresh Agarwal (SP) said a member could raise his or her personal matter and should be allowed to do so.

AIADMK members too were up on their feet demanding expunging of extraneous remarks. However, Pushpa kept on insisting that her life was under threat. To this, Kurien said she could write to the Chairman. Agarwal said she has stated that she has been slapped and her life is under threat.

"She did not say any member of this House or the other House has beaten her or slapped her. She said a leader (did that). If you are mentioning about anyone who cannot come and defend, don't say it," Kurien told Pushpa.

But she kept up her rant. "My life and dignity is under threat. Will government save me A women's life is under threat from state government. Will they give a statement of saving me," Pushpa said.

I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said discussing the issue will not add to the glory of the House. Observing that he would not join the issue, Naidu said any member having any problem can write to the Chairman who will take appropriate action.

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said she should be allowed to raise the issue. "This can happen with any member... How can a Member of Parliament not be allowed to express her view."

Kurien said he allowed her a say. "She can write to Chairman. He will protect her... government will take care of her protection if necessary."

"I can assure on behalf of the Chairman, we will do the needful in the matter. If she needs protection, government will take care of it," he added.