Monsoon Storm: Despite PM appeal,Oppn stalls Parliament on corruption

Confrontation between the government and the Opposition was imminent with the Prime Minister bluntly telling the Opposition yesterday that the government was “not afraid of discussing issues of corruption” as the “Opposition also has too many skeletons in its cupboard”.

Reacting to his statement,Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj had said,“Let us see who attacks whom from tomorrow”.

In the morning,he had appealed to all parties to jointly tackle problems facing the nation and promised a structured debate on matters raised by them.

“It is our sincere desire that this session should run smoothly and Parliament should discuss all issues of national importance and the government is quite prepared for any subject which the Opposition would like to be taken up,” Singh told reporters outside Parliament.

The Prime Minister said the government would welcome a “structured debate” on various issues.

Before the Opposition could strike home its point,Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned Lok Sabha after paying tributes to former Haryana Chief Minister and sitting member Bhajan Lal,who died during the inter-session period.

In the Rajya Sabjha,BJP and other parties forced an adjournment after an uproar over several issues including the 2G spectrum scam.

Immediately after Chairman Hamid Ansari read out obituary references,BJP members were up on their feet raising the issue of statements made by former Telecom Minister A Raja in the court.

They were supported by members of the AIADMK who displayed copies of a Tamil newspaper.

BSP members raised the issue of farmers’ plight and were seen moving into the aisles.

Ansari said he could not hear anyone as members were speaking simultaneously.

Earlier in the day,the Prime Minister hoped the session would be “productive and constructive”. He said,“I appeal to all segments of Parliament. My appeal to the Opposition is to unite on this occasion to tackle jointly and collectively major problems that our nation is faced with.”

Echoing similar sentiments,Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said,“I hope the House will run smoothly. All leaders have given an assurance to me (in this regard).”

The PM was speaking to the media after the customary meeting of floor leaders with Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. While Singh did not attend the meeting,he joined the leaders for lunch.

Anticipating a combined Opposition offensive on the 2G issue in the wake of former Telecom minister A Raja’s allegations,Singh said: “The matter is before court. It should be left to be decided by the court and Parliament should not pre-judge the issue.”

Singh has said there were some matters which were in courts and were being investigated by the CBI. “I sincerely hope that these matters should be left to be decided by courts,” he said.

Swaraj,however,disagreed saying “issues are decided inside Parliament,not outside.”

While the government is likely to counter the BJP attack by raising the Lokayukta report on illegal mining indicting outgoing Karntaka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa,a tussle is also expected on the Lokpal Bill.

Although he had earlier stated that he was not against the office of the Prime Minister being brought under the Lokpal’s purview,Singh said today that it would “not be advisable” to do so. He said his government had taken this decision after “taking all factors into account”.

In the midst of the session,Anna Hazare is scheduled to start his indefinite hunger strike on August 16. Asked to comment on Hazare’s fast,Singh said the Lokpal Bill’s fate will be decided by Parliament. “As you know,we are ready with the Lokpal Bill. The Bill’s fate will be decided by Parliament. In a democracy,Parliament is a sovereign body,it should be allowed to function and discharge its duty,” he said.

Apart from corruption,Swaraj said the Opposition would raise the issues of price rise,internal security related to the Mumbai blasts as well as Maoist violence,Telangana statehood and problems in Air India,pre-conditions set by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and attacks on Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.

Among those who attended today’s meeting were senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj,Leader of the House and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee,Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal,Deputy Speaker Karia Munda,Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat and Rajiv Shukla,Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Sudip Bandyopadhyay,BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan,RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta.