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THE PRIME MINISTER (SHRI CHANDRA SHEKHAR) : Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have listened carefully to the speeches of the hon. members on this important issue. It has been a very useful debate; all aspects of this matter have been debated. I shall not like to go into the various points that have been raised. I shall only confine to the point that is vital in this debate.

I would like to make it clear at the very beginning that I am as much concerned as any other Member of this House to protect and safeguard the dignity and privileges of the Parliament and of the office of the hon. Speaker of Lok Sabha.

I entirely agree with the hon. Members that the Parliament is the supreme authority to decide its own proceedings and no court can have any jurisdiction or authority over the supremacy of the Parliament. This is not a matter on which there could be any difference of opinion. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it had never been the intention of my Government to lower the dignity and supremacy of this House. The Government will take all steps necessary to uphold the supremacy of the Parliament and will not yield to any interference with such supremacy. Mr. Speaker, I assure you, Sir, that necessary modifications will be made in the affidavit that is under question.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, Mr. Madan Lai Khurana should not have any doubts. The modification will be made and he should not have any doubt that there is any intention to interfere in the authority and dignity of the Office of the Speaker or that of the Parliament. (Interruptions