CPI(M) charges prime minister with breach of privilege of Parliament

Prime minister Manmohan Singh's statement outside Parliament rejecting demands for a joint Parliamentary probe into alleged phone tapping charges is "a fit case" for breach of privilege, the CPI(M) said today.

"It is very unfortunate that the prime minister should make a statement and convey government's decision (rejecting a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe) outside Parliament. In our view, it is a fit case for breach of privilege," senior party leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters.

He was asked to comment on the submission of a breach of privilege notice against the prime minister by 50 BJP MPs.

"This (JPC probe) was a demand raised in Parliament and it should have been answered on the floor of Parliament," he said.

"We will consider the matter tomorrow. Today our focus is on the government's failure to check price rise," Yechury said.

The prime minister had yesterday rejected the demand for an inquiry by a JPC into the charges of phone tapping of political leaders.

BJP MPs from Lok Sabha today submitted a petition against Singh to secretary general PDT Achary after leader of the opposition Sushma Swaraj said this was "disrespect of the House".