UPA MPs are suggesting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh address the nation to clear the air on the coal block allocation controversy.
Dr Singh, sources said, is also consulting UPA leaders on how to puncture the BJP’s campaign on this issue. They said the government should not be seen to be defensive over the allocations and that Dr Singh should put the record straight on the subject by addressing the nation.
A section of the UPA feels that the government should not cancel the coal block allocations under Opposition pressure as it would affect economic growth.
Over Rs1 lakh crore is supposed to be invested in coal production, and any cancellation would adversely affect this process, they feel. Friday will be the last day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which was virtually washed out due to the stalling tactics adopted by the BJP-led NDA and other Opposition groups.
The Congress Party has so far been countering the BJP’s attacks on the Prime Minister over this issue. If the saffron party tries to turn this into a tussle between the NDA and the UPA, the Congress’ allies too might come out openly into this battle.
Sources said senior officials have briefed UPA leaders on the issue’s technicalities. The Congress has already fielded senior Union ministers — P. Chidarmbaram, Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid, Jairam Ramesh, Sriprakash Jaiswal and Pawan Kumar Bansal — to expose the BJP’s “double talk” on coal policy and the CAG’s report.
In the coming days, Ambika Soni, S. Jaipal Reddy, Anand Sharma, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Sachin Pilot and other ministers will also be involved. Among UPA allies, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah has rejected the BJP’s demand for the Prime Minister’s resignation. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi could also join them in taking on the BJP.
Within the NDA, the JD(U) and Shiromani Akali Dal appear unconvinced by the BJP’s disruptive tactics in Parliament. The Left and some others, which are as critical as the BJP of the government on the coal issue, have also disapproved of the BJP’s tactics and wanted a discussion on this in Parliament.