NEW DELHI, Feb. 8: Government sources said that as of the moment it cannot be said that the government is “open to a JPC”, but, if a resolution for formation of a JPC is moved, a discussion will suit it. Opposition leaders said there will be another all-party meeting on the eve of the Budget Session.
The sources said Mr Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Trinamul) did not oppose the demand of a JPC. The NCP chief, Mr Sharad Pawar, was said to have suggested that the floor leaders could be unofficially told of any decision on the constitution of a JPC before the session commences.
Besides the finance minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, the other ministers present at the meeting included Mr P. Chidambaram, Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad and Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Mr Mukherjee assured the leaders he would get back to them after consulting the PM. After the meeting, Mr Mukherjee merely said it had been a “very good” discussion.
Barring the BSP, no political party was said to have opposed the demand for a JPC. The Opposition leaders claimed there was “consensus” on the JPC issue and that both sides were keen that Parliament must function.