New Delhi, April 23: Union Ministers Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel came in the line of fire of the Opposition which demanded their resignation in the wake of IPL controversy and constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe it, a plea government has promised to consider.
Parliament business was disrupted with the Opposition leaders demanding that only a JPC probe will have credibility as there were allegations of involvement of two ministers in the controversy.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after lunch without transacting any business with BJP members insisting on a JPC probe.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj raked up the issue saying it was getting “more serious by the day” and demanded a JPC probe to save the dignity of the House and to throw light on the issue.
CPI leader in Lok Sabha described it as the “most serious fraud unparallelled in the history of independent India”. He held that “unpardonable violation of law has taken place for the last two years under the nose of the government.
The two ministers, who belong to NCP, an important ally of the Congress at the Centre and in Maharashtra, were targeted in both the Houses but their names were not not taken.
The Opposition members described the alleged financial wrongdoings in the IPL as a huge scam and wanted to know “how many more Tharoors were there”.
Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor was forced to resign on Sunday following allegations of misuse of power by him to get sweat equity of the value of Rs 70 crore for his friend Sunanda Pushkar.
The Oppositon leaders also targeted Patel in the wake of reports that his daughter Poorna allegedly pulled out an aircraft from a scheduled flight for operating a chartered flight for an IPL team. Air India, however, denied the charge.
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters outside Parliament that “propriety demands that in order to ensure an impartial probe, the ministers should not not be in their position.
“It will be in order that those in the circle of suspicion quit so that the an impartial probe could be carried out.”
With ally in trouble and the government having important financial business ahead in Parliament, the Congress top brass is expected to meet in the Core Group to discuss the demand for constituting a JPC.
Also from PTI:
BJP to raise issue of alleged tapping of phones in Parliament
NEW DELHI: Main Opposition BJP today said it will raise in Parliament the issue of alleged tapping of phones of several politicians, including those in power, by government agencies.
“If the government is tapping the phones of terrorists, or tax evaders or secessionists, then it is understandable as national interest and national security are involved. But tapping phones of politicians and ministers is condemnable,” BJP Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha S S Ahluwalia said.
A weekly magazine has, in its latest issue, alleged that government agencies have been tapping phones of important politicians and ministers since 2006.
Ahluwalia insisted that this was violation of Article 21 of the Constitution which assures protection of life and personal liberty of every citizen.
“Government should be ready to answer on Monday as to who gave it the right to violate Article 21,” the BJP leader said.
BJP sources said the party will seek a clarification from the government on the issue in both Houses of Parliament on Monday and in case the government does not accede to their demand, it may disrupt proceedings.
BJP to raise issue of alleged tapping of phones in Parliament
—PTI