New Delhi:
On the last day of Parliament, Sonia Gandhi has attacked the BJP, which has targeted the government over multiple counts of corruption in different scams. (Read: Winter Session - 21 days, zero business)
Who are they to lecture us on corruption, asked an aggressive Mrs Gandhi. She also suggested the BJP reflect on its internal issues. She stressed that while the Congress has been quick to take action against members accused of corruption, the BJP has refused to fire Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa who is accused of gifting government land to family members in and around Bangalore.
Mrs Gandhi was addressing Congress MPs. At the meeting, she's expected to discuss the party's strategy for tackling the massive impasse in Parliament. Only seven hours have been spent on work in Parliament through the entire session - the rest saw noisy protests in both the Houses, paralysing all proceedings.
For the first time in 25 years, since the Bofors scandal in the mid-80s, Parliament has been in shutdown mode over the 2G scam. The Opposition wants a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe to investigate the scam. The government argues that's unnecessary because the Public Accounts Committee, which his headed by Leader of the Opposition, is already studying the scam, estimated to be worth Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
A Raja lost his job as Telecom Minister over the scam - he stands accused of selling 2G spectrum in 2008 at bafflingly low rates to companies that were ineligible. Raja's residences in Delhi and Chennai were raided by the CBI last week.
The government worries that if it sanctions a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the Opposition will use the panel to embarrass the government with corruption allegations ahead of critical elections early next year in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The JPC could also be used to summon the Prime Minister, which would embarrass the government.
The Opposition has announced that it will hold rallies to campaign for a JPC. It has also threatened that the stand-off in Parliament could extend into the Budget Session of Parliament. (Read: Sometimes, no business leads to results, says Advani)
Sonia Gandhi's remark on corruption in Karnataka drew a sharp reaction from Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa. He said in Bangalore that the UPA Government should look into its own stable before making allegations against his government.
"I have the highest regard for Sonia Gandhiji and Prime Minister Manmohan singhji. I dont want to comment on their statements against my government," said BS Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka.
Who are they to lecture us on corruption, asked an aggressive Mrs Gandhi. She also suggested the BJP reflect on its internal issues. She stressed that while the Congress has been quick to take action against members accused of corruption, the BJP has refused to fire Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa who is accused of gifting government land to family members in and around Bangalore.
Mrs Gandhi was addressing Congress MPs. At the meeting, she's expected to discuss the party's strategy for tackling the massive impasse in Parliament. Only seven hours have been spent on work in Parliament through the entire session - the rest saw noisy protests in both the Houses, paralysing all proceedings.
For the first time in 25 years, since the Bofors scandal in the mid-80s, Parliament has been in shutdown mode over the 2G scam. The Opposition wants a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe to investigate the scam. The government argues that's unnecessary because the Public Accounts Committee, which his headed by Leader of the Opposition, is already studying the scam, estimated to be worth Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
A Raja lost his job as Telecom Minister over the scam - he stands accused of selling 2G spectrum in 2008 at bafflingly low rates to companies that were ineligible. Raja's residences in Delhi and Chennai were raided by the CBI last week.
The government worries that if it sanctions a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the Opposition will use the panel to embarrass the government with corruption allegations ahead of critical elections early next year in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The JPC could also be used to summon the Prime Minister, which would embarrass the government.
The Opposition has announced that it will hold rallies to campaign for a JPC. It has also threatened that the stand-off in Parliament could extend into the Budget Session of Parliament. (Read: Sometimes, no business leads to results, says Advani)
Sonia Gandhi's remark on corruption in Karnataka drew a sharp reaction from Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa. He said in Bangalore that the UPA Government should look into its own stable before making allegations against his government.
"I have the highest regard for Sonia Gandhiji and Prime Minister Manmohan singhji. I dont want to comment on their statements against my government," said BS Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka.
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