Pressure to prevent Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation

In the morning when nominated Rajya Sabha member Navjot Singh Sidhu came, neither the media, nor the members of the ruling BJP had any clue about his motive for coming to Parliament. Even when asked, he replied, “Nothing specific. After taking oath as a member of the Parliament, I have come to see the chairman for courtesy call.” When the Rajya Sabha business advisory committee meeting was going on, members of the ruling BJP came to know that Mr Sidhu has resigned. The message was sent to the party headquarters and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Union Parliamentary affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was given an immediate order — try to prevent Mr Sidhu’s resignation. Mr Naqvi was at a loss. He immediately contacted the vice-president’s office. Then he was told that the chairman of the House, Mr Hamid Ansari, was trying to persuade him to wait for the final decision. But Mr Sidhu was insisting the Chairman to accept his resignation from the House of Elders immediately. As the letter of resignation was perfectly in order, the Chairman had no other option, but to accept it.