Send AAP MP Mann to rehabilitation centre, say three MPs

Three Lok Sabha members have written to the Lok Sabha panel probing AAP MP Bhagwant Mann's reported breach of parliament security, demanding he should be sent to a rehabilitation centre for curing him of alleged alcohol addiction.

The signitories to the letter are Mahesh Girri of the BJP, Prem Singh Chandumajra of the BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal, and suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Harinder Singh Khalsa, who represents Fatehgarh Sahib constituency in Punjab.

The nine-member panel headed by Bharatiya Janata Party member Kirit Somaiya is holding daily meetings since it has to submit its report by August 3. Mann has been told not to attend parliament till that date.

The three MPs urged the committee chairman that Mann, who represents Sangrur constituency in Punjab, should be allowed to attend the house only after undergoing the de-addiction course.

"We will be grateful if Maan was sent to a rehabilitation centre for de-addiction by the Lok Sabha at its expenditure. It is only after this should he be allowed to attend the house proceedings," the three MPs said in their letter.

"It is common knowledge in parliament that the said MP continuously remains under the influence of intoxicants or liquor and doesn't attend parliament proceedings without being intoxicated," the letter said.

"Such conduct of the member is quite unbecoming of the MP, who is a chosen representative of the people and is considered a role model of his constituency. This reflects very poorly and denigrates the seat of a member of the august house," the letter added.

On July 22, Khalsa wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, requesting for a seat change as Mann, who sits next to him in the lower house, "comes to the house in an inebriated state".

--IANS

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