Well within rights to summon PM, says Thomas

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee Chairman K V Thomas on Tuesday asserted that he was well within his rights to ask the prime minister to appear before the committee.

“Rules are above the directions by the Speaker,” Thomas told reporters here adding that the PAC can summon a Cabinet minister, including the prime minister, provided there is consensus among the members.

“We can call Cabinet ministers and the prime minister is only first among equals,” he said. Thomas is demitting office as chairman of the PAC on April 30 after a three-year tenure.

Thomas found himself in the BJP cross hairs when he had referred to calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appear before the committee to depose in connection with the demonetisation decision.