BJP protests over letter seeking info on Panchayat members

BJP members today staged protests demanding withdrawal of the letter written by Rural development and Panchayati Raj department seeking information about political leanings of elected panchayat members. Raising the issue after question hour, the Leader of Opposition P K Dhumal wanted to know the intentions and motive behind the move and said that the letter dated March 22 must be withdrawn immediately.

Dhumal said that the letter has been sent to all Blocks to submit details regarding political affiliation of of panchayat representatives at different levels and said that move of the government was intriguing as Panchayat elections were not held on party basis. "Is it that the government wants to bring no-confidence motion against the elected representatives?"

Dhumal questioned. Joining the bandwagon on the issue, Ravinder Singh Ravi of BJP raised a point of order regarding the letter written by the Rural Development department but the Speaker disallowed it. Parliamentary affairs minister Mukesh Agnihotri also got up and said the BJP member should give a proper notice before talking of any such letter in the house, leading to a deadlock in the House for some time.