As the Winter Session of Parliament draws to a close, the government and the Opposition continue to blame each other for the current impasse in the two Houses that began from November 10 on the issue constituting a joint parliamentary committee on 2G spectrum allocation scam.
The government is determined “as of now” to continue the session till December 13, the Opposition is adamant to not let Parliament transact any business after realising that the Centre is on the defensive on issues of scams and corruption.
This means the deadlock in Parliament is expected to continue next week.
Hitting back at the BJP for demanding a JPC probe into 2-G spectrum allocation, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said it had no right to speak on the issue as Tehelka sting operation had earlier exposed its party president taking bribe on camera.
“People should not forget what we have seen in the earlier regime... What happened in Tehelka. How president of a national party was found taking money. It was on camera and if they talk of this corruption let them speak,” Mr Mukherjee told reporters outside Parliament House.
He was referring to a sting operation by Tehelka during the NDA regime when BJP president Bangaru Laxman was caught on camera taking bribe.
The BJP-led NDA, the Left parties along with the rest of the Opposition, have stalled Parliament proceedings for 15 consecutive working days since November 10, demanding a JPC probe in the 2G scam.
Mr Mukherjee also accused the press of conducting a “trial by media” in the 2G spectrum allocation case.
“We have started investigations into corruption from day one when the (V.K. Shunglu) Committee was appointed after the Commonwealth Games were over... Immediately, as soon as the CAG report was available, the minister concerned has resigned. Whether he is corrupt or not is not yet established,” Mr Mukherjee said.
On the other hand, parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal also attacked the Opposition for “persisting on its demand for JPC”.
“There are 24 political parties in Parliament but in a JPC only seven are represented. Do they want other parties not to be represented. We want a discussion on the 2G issue in Parliament and don’t mind if the discussion goes for even four days,” Mr Bansal told reporters outside Parliament.
He said two Congress members have already given notice in Lok Sabha under rule 193 to have a discussion on the issue.
“By persisting on its demand for JPC, the Opposition is politicising the issue and trying to mislead people,” Mr Bansal said.
He also sought to take the sting out of BJP’s strident demand for JPC reminding it of the statement of Dr Murali Manohar Joshi that the Public Accounts Committee was “adequately equipped” to deal with the subject. Dr Joshi, a senior BJP leader, heads the PAC.
“It is the right of the Opposition to throw out the government. It is not the right of the Opposition to obstruct the functioning of the government. Out of conviction we cannot accept the demand
for JPC,” he said.