New Delhi, April 23
The BJP-led Opposition on Tuesday stalled proceedings in Parliament, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and dismissal of Law Minister Ashwani Kumar over coal blocks allocation and 2G JPC draft issues, leading to the adjournment of the two Houses without transacting any business. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha also witnessed turmoil over issues like incursions by Chinese troops raised by agitated members of the Samajwadi Party while those from the Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of a `step-motherly treatment' towards West Bengal.

Sonia dismisses BJP demand Congress president Sonia Gandhi dismissed the BJP’s demand for the PM’s resignation over “coal scam.” “Let them ask” was the terse response of the Congress chief when she was asked to comment on it. BJP hits out at Cong chief The BJP accused Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of "arrogance" after she dismissed its demand for PM’s resignation on coal blocks issue. While Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he was not surprised at Gandhi's response to their demand, BJP deputy leader in the Upper House Ravi Shankar Prasad did not wish to comment on her "arrogant style".

Congress president Sonia Gandhi dismissed the BJP’s demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the “coal scam.” "Let them ask" was the terse response of the Congress chief when approached by reporters on the issue after a meeting of the party core group headed by her.

While accusing the Congress president of “arrogance”, BJP Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded that the original affidavit drafted by the CBI in the coal blocks case and e-mails sent by it to the Prime Minister's Office be made public.

Expressing surprise at government’s contention that the Law Minister was making “grammatical corrections” in the CBI draft of status report that it had to file before the Supreme Court, Prasad said: “This is the first direct evidence of government interference in the CBI. Since when did the CBI need an English tutor like the Law Minister?" he asked.

“I don't wish to comment on the arrogant style of Madam Sonia Gandhi. But at least in all humility, I would expect a reply from the Congress President that how is it and why is it that the JPC report by Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha is praised even today including its conduct, while that of PC Chacko, also of the Congress, is open to so much of doubt, including its credentials," Prasad said.

In a swift move to pacify the BJP, Chacko dismissed reports that the JPC has named former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in its draft report in the 2G scam. “This report has not mentioned the name of Vajpayee. We have not made any reference to the former PM," Chacko said. Earlier, as soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, BJP members were on their feet, demanding PM’s resignation. The Left parties too joined them. The Congress got some relief as SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said he was not asking for PM’s resignation.