New Delhi: BJP on Saturday termed as misuse of
power by the government Rajya Sabha nomination to Congress
leader Mani Shankar Aiyar and said it was against the spirit
of the Constitution.
Taking strong exception to nomination of the former union
minister to the Upper House for his contribution to
literature, BJP spokesman Ramnath Kovind quoted Article 80 of
the Constitution which states that people who have special
knowledge or experience in the field of arts, literature,
science and social service can be nominated.
He claimed that Aiyar did not qualify in these categories
as he has been a "committed worker" of the Congress.
"Aiyar`s nomination is against the spirit of the
Constitution and violates all established conventions. This is
misuse of power by the present Congress-led government,"
Kovind said.
Aiyar had lost the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.
He is one of the five people nominated to the Rajya Sabha
by the government, others being lyricist Javed Akhtar,
educationist Balchandra Mungekar, actress-dancer B Jayashree
and anthropologist Ram Dayal Munda.
PTI
