Dikshit criticises BJP for demanding Speaker`s res

New Delhi: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today attacked the BJP for seeking the resignation of Assembly Speaker Yoganand Shastri in the wake of "serious remarks" made against him by the Lokayukta in a case of alleged corruption even as the complaint was forwarded to the anti-graft body by Delhi Government. In a statement in the Assembly, Dikshit said the BJP members have shown "great disrespect" to the Speaker by demanding his resignation on the basis of an "unverified report". Leader of Opposition in the Assembly V K Malhotra, in a letter to Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna yesterday, had sought resignation of the Speaker citing the Lokayukta`s observation against him in a complaint of alleged corruption and misuse of public funds. The complaint against Shastri has been filed by former Secretary of Delhi Legislative Assembly Siddharth Rao in which he made allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds and amenities to the tune of several crores of rupees. Shastri vehemently rejected all the allegations and claimed that Rao was trying to "blackmail" him.

Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin, in an order on Monday, had dismissed the complaint against the Speaker for "want of jurisdiction" but brought it to the notice of the Lt Governor for "action as deemed fit" while terming the allegations as of "serious nature". As per the Lokayukta order, the complaint was forwarded to the anti-graft watchdog by Additional Secretary (Vigilance) of Delhi Government. Rejecting Dikshit`s criticism, Malhotra said if there was no substance in the complaint then why had the city government forwarded it to the Lokayukta. He said BJP will move a no confidence motion against the Speaker tomorrow. "The complaint was forwarded to Lokayukta by the Delhi Government. If there was no substance in it then why the government had sent it to the Lokayukta?" Malhotra asked. PTI