Launching a frontal attack on Opposition, especially the BJP, for stalling the almost entire proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament during winter session, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee accused them of “subverting the Constitution”.
Mr Mukherjee, after moving the party’s political resolution at the 83rd session of the AICC plenary session, said there is no point conceding to their demand of joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the alleged 2G spectrum allocation scam. He contended that the government had handed over the case to CBI last year “where as the BJP raised the issue only in 2010”. He said, “You (the BJP) are asking for a JPC in 2010... The CBI has been probing the 2G spectrum case since 2009. The CBI filed an FIR in the matter in October 2009.” He also argued that a JPC could not probe any such case but can only make recommendation to the government.
Ruling out setting up a JPC, he said the oldest watchdog body of the country — the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) — has already begun examining the case and the CBI is simultaneously investigating into the matter. Also, a one-man commission set up by the telecom ministry and income-tax officials and the Enforcement Directorate were looking into it, he added.
“What will a JPC do? There is no rational explanation,” Mr Mukherjee said, while accusing the Opposition of subverting the Constitution by forcing repeated adjournments of parliamentary proceedings. “Congressmen and women will rise against any attempt to subvert the parliamentary democracy,” he exhorted.
In an oblique reference to Karnataka, the finance minister said the BJP had debarred members of a state Assembly, who were preparing to vote against the state government.