Chappell gets the stick from West Bengal MLAs

KOLKATA: Cutting across party lines, members of the West Bengal Assembly on Monday condemned Indian cricket coach Greg Chappell for his comment on MPs and demanded his immediate removal.

The assault on Chappell was led by Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty, who said BCCI chief Sharad Pawar should take the initiative to make the Aussie express regret for his comment against Indian MPs.

Chakraborty, however, said Parliament should not engage itself with the issue as it had important business of national and international importance to deal with.

"Chappell's comment is unfortunate and in bad taste. BCCI President Sharad Pawar should take the initiative so that Chappell expresses regret for his comments," Chakraborty said.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Left Front legislator Jane Alam Mian (RSP) called for adopting a censure motion against Chappell for his disparaging remarks against Parliamentarians.

Trinamool Congress MLA Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the Australian had no idea about the Indian constitution. "He has not only shown disrespect to the MPs, but also to the people of the entire country."

"He should be summoned to parliament for the outrageous comments and removed as coach," he said.

An opposition member went to the extent of bringing a motion seeking adjournment of the house, but Speaker H A Halim disallowed it observing that the matter was not under the jurisdiction of the assembly.

CPI-M legislator Robin Mandal said Chappell's comments were out of tune with Indian culture and the outrage of the house was justified.

Chappell had said in Cape Town on Sunday evening that he was not surprised by the sharp criticism from MPs following India's poor show in the one-dayers so far.

"I am not surprised. They (MPs) are paid to do so in Parliament," Chappell said in the post-match press conference after India's 106-run defeat in the third ODI.