Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: February 05, 2
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/315594/Won't-fall-into-Congress'-old-trap-says-BJP.html
The BJP has rejected a fresh offer from the
Congress to allow vote on a resolution in Parliament on the need for a JPC
probe in corruption cases, saying JPC needs to be constituted and not debated.
As Congress showed signs of softening of its
approach, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said the
Opposition had clearly stated why it was demanding a JPC probe, while the
Government never said why it was against it. She said it had been made clear
in the all-party meetings convened by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
and Speaker Meira Kumar (on different occasions).
"We will formulate our strategy in consultation
with our NDA partners on the eve of the Budget Session," she told the
media in Chennai, when asked whether the Opposition would stall proceedings
in Parliament during the Budget Session on JPC issue, as they did in the last
Session.
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharam said there
is no change in the party's stand on JPC demand. "We have already categorically
stated that we want a JPC probe and not a discussion on it," she said
in Delhi.
Party's general secretary Ravishankar Prasad
ridiculed Congress' offer saying when Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has
already convened a meeting on February 8 to discuss the issue with the Opposition,
there was no need to react to what Congress is saying. "We will wait
for Government's response to our demand for JPC," Prasad said.
Indicating a softening of its approach, the
Congress on Friday said it was open to bringing a resolution in Parliament
on the issue of a JPC probe into 2G Spectrum scam which after discussion can
be voted upon in both the Houses of Parliament.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natrajan said
if such a proposal is brought before the all-party meeting called by Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee on February 8 to try and resolve the existing deadlock
in Parliament, the Congress is open to it.
However, she parried a question on who will
bring such a resolution saying that the idea is already there in the public
domain.
Admitting that the Opposition has already
rejected the option of holding discussion in Parliament first to decide whether
to constitute JPC, Natrajan said that the matter can be discussed again, especially
in view of the various steps taken by the Government; like former Telecom
Minister's A Raja's resignation, his subsequent arrest and progress made in
the CBI investigation being carried out under Supreme Court's supervision.
On whether the party is ready for voting on
such a resolution in both the Houses of Parliament, she replied in affirmative.
However, she admitted the UPA Government may face problem in getting such
a resolution passed in the Rajya Sabha.
Rejecting the speculation that accepting such
a proposal indicated a softening of approach of the Congress or a "step
forward" on the issue of JPC, she reiterated the Congress stand on JPC
remained the same.
Enumerating the various steps taken by the
Government, she appealed to all the political parties to come forward and
cooperate to find a way out of the deadlock so that the Budget Session may
be conducted smoothly. All important issues which agitate the mind of the
Opposition and are of vital importance to the country can be discussed on
the floor of the House and legislative business being carried out, she said.
Congress sources, on condition of anonymity,
charged the Opposition, especially BJP and AIADMK, of constantly shifting
the goalpost on the issue of JPC by first demanding Raja's resignations, probe
into 2G scam and then his arrest. And when the Government took those steps,
they are still insisting on JPC, the Congress sources said. They said if the
blockade in Parliament on the issue of JPC continued in Budget session, it
will be "unforgivable" and will have negative impact on Opposition
image. They felt the Left parties have already indicated softening of approach
by stating that they want Parliament to function.
