New Delhi, November 25
Undecided on its strategy to run the Parliament, the government put up a brave face today, ruling out both curtailment of the winter session and the Opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G Spectrum scam. It dared the Opposition to move a no-confidence motion if it had no faith in the Public Accounts Committee looking into the CAG report on the Spectrum issue.

While both Houses remained paralysed for yet another day, the Congress-led UPA firmly rejected the JPC demand saying it would never accept any probe meant specifically to target the Prime Minister and ministers. The BJP and the Left have been seeking a JPC over a PAC saying only the former had the power to summon the PM and his colleagues.

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj argued that the JPC was also critical for examining larger issues like corporates and the media discussing formation of the Union Cabinet (as Nira Radia tapes have revealed).

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal, however, told The Tribune today that no parliamentary committee had the power to discuss the formation of a government. It was the sole prerogative of the people who elect the government, he added.

The Opposition leaders, in a meeting called today by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, reiterated their JPC demand to question the council of ministers. At the meeting, Bansal rejected the contention.

“Formation of the Cabinet is beyond the purview of any committee. The Opposition’s game plan is not to fight corruption; it is purely to score political points,” Bansal said, questioning the efficacy of past JPCs. The government Continued on page 13remembered how the NDA had rejected the JPC demand into Tehelka and coffin scams.

Asked whether he was sure the Parliament would run until December 13 (as scheduled), Bansal said he only hoped so. He put the onus of running the House on the Opposition just like the Opposition has been putting it on the government. “We have told them to come to the Parliament to discuss whatever they want.”

That apart, the fact remains that the government has no solution to run the Houses which were adjourned again today. Leader of Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee said, “We are trying to break the stalemate but we don’t know how that can be done”. The Congress is obviously lingering on because it wants to corner the Opposition for wrecking the Parliament and also keep the Yeddyurappa issue alive.