Congress Refuses to Relent, Lalit-Gate Chaos in Parliament

New Delhi: The opposition Congress did not hold a protest by lawmakers at the Gandhi statue in Parliament House that it had planned for this morning to highlight its demand for action against three top BJP leaders. But Congress MPs trooped into Parliament wearing black bands, led by party president Sonia Gandhi who told NDTV, "Let them say what they want we will continue to protest."

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha saw early adjournments on Tuesday morning amid slogan shouting by Congress members and their angry exchanges with the government benches. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the Lok Sabha when it was adjourned.

In the Rajya Sabha, Congress MPs rushed into the Well or centre of the House demanding that all business be set aside to discuss the scandal now being called 'Lalitgate'.

The Congress has made it clear that it will not allow the houses to function unless the government takes action against Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje for helping disgraced cricket boss Lalit Modi. It also wants the resignation of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam recruitment scam.

The Congress re-considered its strategy on staging protests outside Parliament, said sources, as leaders felt that the party should not be seen as isolated in the demand for the resignation of the BJP leaders.

Since yesterday the Left and leaders like Mayawati too have called for their resignation. The Samajwadi Party said it wants the two Chief Ministers to quit but will not insist on the resignation of Ms Swaraj.  

The BJP-led government has said there will be no resignations, but has offered to discuss "all issues" in Parliament. It has also accused the Congress of "running away" from debate.

In the 21-day Monsoon Session that began yesterday, the government needs to push urgent reforms like the Goods and Sales Tax or GST. The Congress has allowed no work so far.