Under attack for skipping RS, Sachin says brother unwell
9 Aug 2014 5:56 AM IST
‘My absence in Delhi has been discussed rather too much. I don’t mean to disrespect any institution’, he said hours after members in Rajya Sabha raked up his prolonged absence from the House and demanded his participation in its business.
Speaking at a sports function in Vigyan Bhawan not far away from Parliament, he said when he was back from England he wanted to be in Delhi. ‘There was a medical emergency in my family, certain things I want to keep it private. But just to let you know, my elder brother Ajit had to undergo a bypass surgery and I had to be by his side’, he said, seeking to address criticism about his absence from Delhi and Parliament.
In a veiled reference to the raging discussion about him in Parliament and outside by media, he said ‘ They are discussing everything about you in the media but I think you should be focused on your job and nothing else’. Tendulkar and yesteryears Bollywood star Rekha on Friday came under attack in Rajya Sabha for attending the house for only three and seven days, respectively, since their nomination two years back.
P Rajeeve of CPM raised the issue of long-duration absence of celebrities as he wanted to know whether they have sought permission for it.
Responding to this, deputy chairman P J Kurien said Rajeeve and some other members had raised the issue earlier but there was no violation.
‘As per Article 104 of the Constitution, if a member is absent from either House of Parliament for a period of 60 days then the seat is considered vacant. In case of Sachin Tendulkar, he has not attended the Parliament for 40 days whereas Rekha’s absence is less than this,’ he observed, adding, ‘both the members have not violated Constitutional provisions.’
Kurien said Tendulkar was nominated to the Upper House in April 2012 and has attended the session for three days. ‘Last time he had come to the house on December 13, 2013,’ he said.
Speaking at a sports function in Vigyan Bhawan not far away from Parliament, he said when he was back from England he wanted to be in Delhi. ‘There was a medical emergency in my family, certain things I want to keep it private. But just to let you know, my elder brother Ajit had to undergo a bypass surgery and I had to be by his side’, he said, seeking to address criticism about his absence from Delhi and Parliament.
In a veiled reference to the raging discussion about him in Parliament and outside by media, he said ‘ They are discussing everything about you in the media but I think you should be focused on your job and nothing else’. Tendulkar and yesteryears Bollywood star Rekha on Friday came under attack in Rajya Sabha for attending the house for only three and seven days, respectively, since their nomination two years back.
P Rajeeve of CPM raised the issue of long-duration absence of celebrities as he wanted to know whether they have sought permission for it.
Responding to this, deputy chairman P J Kurien said Rajeeve and some other members had raised the issue earlier but there was no violation.
‘As per Article 104 of the Constitution, if a member is absent from either House of Parliament for a period of 60 days then the seat is considered vacant. In case of Sachin Tendulkar, he has not attended the Parliament for 40 days whereas Rekha’s absence is less than this,’ he observed, adding, ‘both the members have not violated Constitutional provisions.’
Kurien said Tendulkar was nominated to the Upper House in April 2012 and has attended the session for three days. ‘Last time he had come to the house on December 13, 2013,’ he said.
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