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Raja’s Ouster Aditi Tandon/TNS New Delhi, November 10 Led by the BJP and the AIADMK, the Opposition also sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into all the scams under the UPA Government, including 2G Spectrum, Adarsh Housing Society and the CWG. There was hardly a moment since the proceedings commenced when the agitating MPs were not in the well of the House. Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Presiding Officer Hamid Ansari were left pleading for order in vain. In the Lok Sabha, BJP MPs raised anti-UPA slogans, “Brashtachaar ko rok sake na voh sarkar nikammi hai (A government that can’t prevent corruption is useless),” forcing the first adjournment till noon and then for the day. As they agitated, DMK leader and Raja’s party colleague T.R. Baalu watched silently. Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley moved an adjournment motion to discuss corruption, BJP MPs keeping the decibel levels going. Repeated reminders of the Lok Sabha Speaker that the government had, in the meeting of leaders, agreed to debate any matter, could not salvage the situation. The Opposition for its part had a reason to turn the heat on the government today, given CAG observation that Raja “sold national assets cheaply”, ignored his own Ministry’s regulations on eligibility in allocating 2G Spectrum, benefited certain companies costing a loss of Rs 1,70,000 crore. CAG submitted his report to the President today.Outside the House, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters: “Raja says he took every decision with the Prime Minister's knowledge. Why is the PM silent? We want a JPC probe, nothing less.” Leader of the AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha V Maitreyan was equally caustic: “Raja must be immediately dismissed. CAG has said he looted the country. The Congress must choose between its coalition partner and its survival and national image.” When the Opposition was wrecking Parliament proceedings on Raja issue, AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha also issued a statement from Chennai asking the people of India to send telegrams to the President to dismiss Raja. “The Congress has tried to give the impression of ensuring a degree of probity in public life. Shashi Tharoor was made to quit …," she pointed out, questioning the party’s silence on Raja. The government, however, was unfazed with Finance Minister and Leader of Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee today escaping the Raja issue, saying the case was sub judice. On JPC probe demand into Adarsh scam, Pranab had another excuse: “Adarsh issue does not involve the government directly and Parliament can only debate issues where the government is involved directly. Adarsh scam is a matter that will be probed at Maharashtra level.” The Opposition has, on its part, indicated it will allow no business in the Parliament until a JPC probe is conceded to.
BJP breaks vow, stalls Parliament New Delhi, November 10 The two Houses of Parliament were adjourned today in the face of Opposition’s demand to suspend proceedings and discuss their demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to investigate all scams. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj gave a notice under rule 184 (involving division), seeking discussion on a motion that said, “This House expresses deep concern over the spate of scandals, including 2G, CWG and Adarsh Housing, resulting in the misappropriation of thousands of crores of rupees and weakening institutions like the CBI and the CVC meant to check corruption and resolves to constitute a JPC.” A similarly worded notice was given by Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitely under rule 167 entailing voting. Sources said the BJP was forced to change strategy after the government took wind out of the Opposition sail by removing Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in connection with the Adarsh housing scam and Suresh Kalmadi in connection with the CWG muddle. The government was now preparing to put the BJP on the mat mentioning important names from its side in the Adarsh housing and CWG scams. The government is also ready with its fusillade on the alleged involvement of RSS men in terror activities. The BJP was dreading isolation on these issues. It changed its strategy after Congress chose Prithviraj Chavan, a man with a clean image as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra. It also distanced itself from the RSS dharna held in different parts of the country, including at the Jantar Mantar, today. Sangh spokesperson Ram Madhav led a rather motley crowd while the BJP leaders were conspicuously absent. Only a week ago, Madhav had told TNS that all prominent BJP leaders would join the dharna. Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, considered close to the sangh, played down the BJP leaders’ absence saying, “It is sangh’s programme,” adding as an afterthought, “would have joined, if needed”.
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