With the Government and the Opposition refusing to blink first, an all-party meeting called on the eve of the Monsoon Session on Monday could not reach a common ground for smooth functioning of Parliament. While the Opposition is seeking resignations of senior BJP leaders allegedly involved in lalitgate and Vyapam scam, the Government is not ready to give in to the pressure.
While accepting that the Government has to take the initiative and responsibility to run Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an all-party meet that all the issues should be discussed during the Monsoon Session.
The contentious issues of lalitgate and Vyapam scam and the Opposition’s demand, particularly that of the Congress, to remove External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan have blocked any amicable solution for the smooth conduct of the Monsoon Session.
Rejecting the Congress’ insistence on the resignations of the BJP leaders as a condition for the smooth running of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, “There is no question of accepting ultimatum by anybody. From where did the question of resignation ariseIJ Nobody can dictate terms to the Government. From Government side, no Union Minister has done anything illegal or immoral.”
He was responding to leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad’s remarks that if Modi was interested in running the Monsoon Session smoothly, he should remove Swaraj, Raje and Chouhan. Azad also reproached the Government for having a “thick skin” on the issues of corruption.
Besides the lalit Modi issue, Azad raised the trail of deaths in Vyapam scam and wondered whether the Government thinks it was being done “by ISI of Pakistan, or some terrorists or Naxals here”.
The Congress leader also demanded a statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament on lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam asking the BJP to walk the talk on corruption in light of promises it had made in the run up to the lok Sabha polls last year. The Congress’ stand, according to Naidu, did not receive approval from as many as 29 Opposition parties who, he said wanted smooth functioning of Parliament. Naidu also told the Opposition leaders that Swaraj will be giving a statement on the lalit Modi row in the House.
The parties opposing the Congress’ approach to the Monsoon Session felt a washout of Parliament was not a solution. “This is not correct. Parliament will run but Government must allow discussion,” JD(U) president Sharad Yadav said when asked about the Congress’ take it or leave it aggression on controversies involving the BJP leaders.
Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav was skeptical about the smooth functioning of Parliament even though he wanted smooth conduct of the session. “I do not think this will be resolved. Weather seems bad from now itself.”
The SP, though, looked softer on the controversial land Bill and closer to Government’s approach on the issue. The Prime Minister expressed agreement with the remarks by Yadav that since there was no consensus on the issue, both the Government and the opposition should make some adjustments to resolve the issue. The BSP too have understood to have softened its view on the issue vis-à-vis the Government.
The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the controversial land Bill has been given a fresh extension till the first week of August to submit its report to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. This is the second extension sought by the Committee which was originally mandated to table its report by Tuesday - the first day of the Monsoon Session. The land Bill is unlikely to be presented during this Session.
Taking a cue from the SP leader’s conciliatory stand on the land Bill, Prime Minister said, “It is time that we should move forward on the land Bill issue, incorporating suggestions from all sides. We should move positively on this issue.”
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav dismissed NDA’s land Bill, saying, “We do not accept it. The land bill is against nation’s interests. All parties in Parliament will be united on this issue.”
JD(U) leader, however, said while the Parliament should run, it depends upon day-to-day confabulations between the Government and the Opposition.
Bhartruhari Mahatab of BJD noted that Vyapam is a case of “degeneration of the system” and needs to be discussed and wanted the Parliament to function normally.
Shrimoni Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa while appreciating the need to discuss various issues raised by Azad wondered how that can be done if the Parliament was not allowed to function.
Striking a different note, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Rout expressed concerns over the events along the India-Pakistan border and said that the nation will not forgive those who will not allow a discussion of it by disrupting the functioning of the Parliament Session.
TRS’s K Kesava Rao though seeking detailed debates on all issues noted that he shared the concern voiced by Azad but not his presentation.
NCP’s Tariq Anwar while preferring normal functioning of the Parliament urged the Government to do the needful as Sitaram Yechury of CPM urged the Government to come forward with its stand on various developments to get clarity through discussion, failing which the Opposition would have to use its options. Almost all the parties wanted discussion on all major issues and recent developments.
Speaking at the end, Congress leader KC Venugopal said, “Congress is ready for a fruitful discussion on important issues and the Government shall give convincing replies”.
Other issues suggested for discussion by various leaders during the two-hour long meeting included India-Pakistan relations and Foreign Policy, growing social disparities, Farmers’ suicides and farm sector distress, issues relating to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and their implementation.