PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 827
You say that you would like your resignation to take effect immediately. But you are good enough to suggest that you might stay on till some of the Bills and Motions standing in your name are dealt with. I shall look into this matter. In any event this session is going to last only till the 6th of October, that is a little more than a week from today. There is not much room left for priorities during a few days. We shall try to push in your Bills and Motions as soon as possible. I hope therefore that you will stay on till the end of the session.
With all good wishes to you”.
To that he sent an answer on the 1st October:—
“I am in receipt of your letter dated the 28th September
1951, in which you have informed me of the acceptance of my resignation. Since you desire me to continue in office till the end of this session, which I understand will terminate on the
6th instant. I am prepared to fall in line with your wishes in this behalf.
I also like to inform you that on the 6th October 1951 I propose to make a statement in Parliament which a retiring Minister usually does.”
My reply dated 3rd October was,—
“You can certainly make a statement in the house on the last day of the session. I do not know yet when the last day will be. It seems most unlikely that it would be the 6th October.
It, is possible that I might also like to make some statement following yours. I should be grateful, therefore, if you could send me a copy of the statement you intend to make.”
Dr. Ambedkar’s letter of 4th October:
“I am in receipt of your letter No…….. dated October 3, 1951.
You have said that I should make a statement in the House on the last day of the Session. Does this mean that I should not make my statement on the 6th. If the 6th does not happen to be the last day of the Session ? I should like to have a clear idea about the day on which I am to make my statement. For I have to inform the Deputy Speaker.
I observe that you wish to make a statement following mine. It is not customary to make a statement such as the one you propose to do. You are free to exercise any right which the Rules of Business give you. Personally I will raise no objection to your making a statement following mine. Regarding your request for an advance copy of my statement, as you know, I am not in the habit of writing out my speeches’ or my statement. So far I have not written out the text of my statement. If I find time to write out my statement in time. I shall be glad to send you an advance copy thereof. How far in advance I am of course unable to say.”