Mann turns 'unapologetic' after offering 'unconditional apology'

After offering "unconditional apology" to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for exposing Parliament security by uploading live video on Facebook, Aam Aadmi Party MP Bhagwant Mann in a volte face on Thursday said he had made no mistake, and thus, the matter should be closed.

In a five-page written reply to the nine-member committee led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya, the Sangrur MP stated that he had made no mistake, while citing some of the earlier incidents to buttress his claims.

Interestingly, Mann had earlier, in an apologia addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, offered "unconditional apology", saying his intention was not to expose the Parliament security but to inform his voters' about the procedure involved in raising a question during 'Zero Hour'.

The MP, who was asked by the committee to submit his statement or explanation over the issue by Tuesday, had sought three days to submit his deposition.

The committee will submit its report by August 3.

Meanwhile, The Speaker has barred Mann from attending the proceedings of the House till a decision on the matter was reached.

Earlier, Mann accused the Centre and other opposition parties of giving a political twist to his apology to the Speaker with regard to his controversial live streaming of Parliament.

Mann said, "My apology has not been accepted. It is being given a political twist and colour. The opposition and my rivals are saying that my membership of parliament should be terminated; that I am a danger to this country."

He demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi be expelled for compromising national security by allowing a team from Pakistan to investigate the Pathankot Air Force base after a terror attack in January this year.

Mann has consistently maintained that he never wanted to jeopardise Parliament's security. He says that he believes that the people who have elected Members of Parliament have every right to know how their issues are raised in both Houses.