As the Opposition leaders attending Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s Iftar party on Monday are expected to plan out their strategies to launch offensive against the Modi-Government in the Monsoon session of Parliament, the BJP has firmed up its stand not to give in to their demands and strongly back its leaders at the Centre and States. The Opposition plans to raise lalitgate, Vyapam and PDS scam controversies during the four-week long Monsoon session, beginning from July 21.
Considerable significance is being attached to the Iftar get-together ahead of the Monsoon Session, which is likely to be the most turbulent for the Narendra Modi Government since it took office in May last year. The meeting of the leaders has also assumed importance before the Bihar polls where the JD(U)-RJD and the Congress are trying to combine to take on the BJP.
All the key opposition leaders belonging to different political hues and colour and keen to form a common united front against the BJP are expected to attend the dinner.
Among the leaders invited are Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Mayawati (BSP), Sharad Pawar (NCP), Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M), HD Deve Gowda (JD-S), E Ahamed (IUMl), Kanimozhi (DMK), D Raja (CPI), Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and Sudip Bandhopadhyay (TMC).
RJD chief lalu Prasad, who has been invited, has expressed his inability to attend due to prior commitments. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav are among the invitees. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), which was part of the Congress-led UPA until two years ago, and the AIUDF, which has a tie-up with the Congress in Assam, are also invited.
The Congress and other opposition parties have clearly indicated that they would raise the issue of scams and controversies allegedly involving Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh and demand their resignations.
While Chouhan has been drawing criticism over the Vyapam scam and Raje is linked to the lalit Modi controversy; Singh is at the receiving end of Opposition’s attack over the alleged PDS-rice scam in Chhattisgarh. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has also been linked with the lalit Modi controversy.
The BJP has, however, thrown its weight behind all four leaders — in the eye of storm — and maintained that “no wrong is done.” The Prime Minister has, thus far, chosen not to offer any comment on the Congress’ demand for the ouster of BJP leaders caught in controversies.
In an attempt to silence opposition guns, the BJP may demand accountability of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is embroiled in a disproportionate assets case. last month, the Anti-Corruption Bureau raided premises of NCP leader in Maharashtra in the cases of corruption and cheating.
The only left Chief Minister in the country, Manik Sarkar of the CPI(M), too may come under attack of the Congress and the BJP over the chit fund scam in Tripura.
The Congress has made it clear that unless their demands (resignations) are not conceded, the Monsoon Session, would be “a washout.” Besides, Chouhan, Raje, Singh and Swaraj, the Opposition parties are also seeking resignation of HRD Minister Smriti Irani whose educational qualifications have been under the scrutiny of a court.