NEW DELHI:
The first day of Rajya Sabha’s Monsoon session today was a washout as opposition aggressively pressed for resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as also Chief Ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over various controversies.
The Upper House of Parliament was a scene of confrontation between the ruling and opposition sides, witnessing repeated adjournments with Congress members trooping into the Well of the House to press their demand which was supported by parties like CPI(M) and Samajwadi Party.
Congress leader Anand Sharma questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversies, while pointing out that he had promised to ensure transparency, accountability in governance and acting against those indulging in corrupt practices.
The Government kept saying that it was ready for a discussion on all issues, including the row related to Lalit Modi in which Swaraj and Raje are under attack but the opposition insisted on resignations before any debate could be taken up in the House.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said “a discussion cannot be a substitute for an investigation. We want investigation.”
Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while slamming the opposition’s attitude, also said that Swaraj will make a statement on the issue immediately after a discussion starts.
The ruling side accused the opposition of “running away” from a debate, with Jaitley saying they were interested in disturbance and not debate.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attacked Congress for demanding resignations of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, saying if discussion on state issues is allowed, then Robert Vadra’s land deal and CBI’s probe against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh could also be discussed.
Then issues related to Ottavio Quattrocchi, who was investigated in Bofors scam, and the help given to Warren Anderson, an accused in Bhopal gass tragedy, by then Congress Government can also be discussed, he said.
“Congress cannot make reckless allegations and throw well-settled parliamentary traditions to the wind,” Prasad said while addressing a press conference. (AGENCIES)
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