NEW DELHI, August 13: Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah are caught in a controversy over the midnight function to commemorate 50 years of India's independence in the central hall of Parliament tomorrow.

Sangma has been criticised by many MPs for inviting Betty Boothroyd, the Speaker of the House of Commons, to sit on the dais along with the President, Prime Minister and the presiding officers of both Houses.

Samajwadi Party MP Sanjay Dalmia raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha today. He has also written to Sangma suggesting that it would have been more appropriate to invite a freedom fighter or an ex-Indian National Army soldier to grace the podium rather than Boothroyd who ``represents the seal of colonial regime that put us under subjugation for more than 200 years.''

Given the members' agitation over the issue, Sangma had to call an all party meeting this evening only to discuss the controversial seating plan. The Left parties and BJP objected to the prominence given to the British Speaker, but others felt it was too late to change the arrangement.

Earlier there was a suggestion to ask the British guest to speak at the Aug 14 golden jubilee function but that had to be dropped in the teeth of opposition from the BJP.

Prime Minister IK Gujral will translate the President's speech in Hindi tomorrow.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.