New Delhi:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy lent itself to Parliament on Friday morning, with the Opposition using it to attack the government.
(IPL Controversy: The people, the story in pictures)BJP leader Sushma Swaraj insisted that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be appointed to look into the diaspora of grievances - mainly financial - that have overshadowed the current season of the IPL, now just two days away from its final. However, the government has ruled out any JPC probe into the controversy.
The Left's Gurudas Dasgupta described IPL as "an unparalleled scam in the history of India."
Janata Dal (U) leader Sharad Yadav described the IPL as "a den of thieves." Addressing Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has ordered a multi-agency inquiry into the IPL's finances, Yadav said, "From Mauritius to Switzerland, all sorts of money has been parked here under your government's nose."
The Opposition also stressed the allegations that have arisen in this last week against ministers Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel, who are leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) which is a key ally in the UPA government. "Two ministers have been named," said Yadav.
(Read: Many allegations about Praful mail to Tharoor)And on Friday evening, a worried core committee of the government, which has to get its Finance Bill passed during this parliament session, met to discuss the prospect of joint parliamentary committee. After the meeting, Mukherjee said a decision would be taken after consulting with its allies - that includes Pawar and Patel, currently the Opposition's target.
The allegation against Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Minister and Indian cricket's big boss is that he played a role in the IPL bids, promoting those who promised equity in return for his family members. Wrong, says Pawar.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel has also been accused of similar charges - being involved in the auction process - and of a conflict of interest because his daughter, Poorna, works for the IPL.
Sources close to both Pawar and Patel say the allegations are political maneuvers, calibrated by the Congress, to shake Pawar's strong grip over the cricket board, and to push Lalit Modi out. And while the government may have grabbed the chance to give Pawar a jolt, it cannot afford to lose his support - not when there is critical legislation pending for approval.