Parliament is unlikely to transact any business on Friday as well, with the BJP staying adamant on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s resignation over the CAG report on coal blocks allocation. The government has also said that it hopes to reach a breakthrough only on Monday when an all-party meeting is likely to be held.
As the ruling Congress and the BJP stuck to their positions yesterday, back channel talks were held to end the stand-off.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi told a group of UPA MPs not to be defensive about the CAG report on allocation of coal blocks as the government had done no wrong.
Sources said Speaker Meira Kumar would call an all-party meeting on Monday to find a solution to the current impasse.
“The Speaker will call some meeting on Monday. A way out will be found,” a minister said, declining to be named.
In the morning yesterday, Meira Kumar held an informal meeting in her chamber which was not attended by the BJP.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari too called a meeting in his chamber to try and end the impasse in the Upper House, but it remained inconclusive.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde met Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj in an effort to bring her BJP around for smooth functioning of Parliament.
In the evening, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal expressed hope that a solution will be found Monday.
“We hope we are able to get together by Monday and see how parliament runs,” Bansal said.
He said when discussion takes place on the CAG report, the government will be able to turn the tables on the BJP and other opposition parties.
“During discussion in Parliament, (we will) tear (their arguments) to smithereens and turn the tables,” Bansal said.
Sources said the government could even agree to a discussion on CAG report under rules which entail voting. They said once the CAG report was discussed in the House, it was unlikely to go to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Parliament has been stalled since Tuesday over the CAG report.
The Congress has ruled out the Prime Minister’s resignation.
–IANS