UP Speaker Denies Expressing Regret to Naik

Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey today dismissed reports in a section of media that he expressed regret before the Governor Ram Naik for the statements made in the House against him (Naik).

"The reports in a section of media that I expressed regret during my meeting with the Governor on April 9 and that the Governor said that the dignity of the House has been undermined are far from truth," the Speaker said in a written statement here.

"The meeting was a courtesy call and was conducted in a very cordial atmosphere," the speaker said.

Amidst the controversy over Governor Naik taking offence to certain comments made by senior minister Azam Khan, the Speaker paid a visit to the Raj Bhawan on April 9.

According to a release issued by the Raj Bhawan, Naik had apprised Pandey of the various reasons because of which six bills have not been given clearance from his side.

On the Azam Khan issue, the Governor is believed to have reiterated that as many as 20 lines from the Khan's statement in the House have been expunged and this raises a question mark on his competence and ability to function as parliamentary affairs minister.