2G scam: No solution yet to resolve impasse, says Mukherjee

NEW DELHI - Even as proceedings inside Parliament remained paralysed for the tenth consecutive day on Thursday with no headway being made over the issue of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam, the government said it did not know how to end the impasse, but was trying to find a solution.

“I have not been able to find a solution. I do not know how to resolve this impasse. We are trying. Let us see,” said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar appealed to all the political parties to end the deadlock over the issue and not to disrupt the working of Parliament

“It is my earnest appeal to end the impasse and allow the Houses to function and discuss the issues in Parliament,” she said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury met Mukherjee after Parliament was adjourned for the day today to discuss the opposition demand for a JPC.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today said the government will run the House everyday till December 13 and ruled out an early end to the Winter Session of Parliament.

“The government will make efforts till 13th December to ensure that the House runs,” said Bansal.

“Today, I told the Opposition that if that is your objective (summoning the PM and ministers) that is not acceptable. If you have the courage and conviction, come and discuss the issue in the House,” he added.

Bansal further said during the rule of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the then government did not accept the demand for a JPC probe into the Tehelka expose.

“Vajpayeeji (then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee) had said the issue can be discussed in the House and there was no JPC,” said Bansal.

“If such a thing happens, we cannot stop it. But the Opposition will get a beating. The government is in power till it has majority. People will also understand that it is the opposition that is not allowing the House to function,” he added, when asked about the plans of the government to tackle the situation if opposition moves a no-confidence motion.

Earlier today, the morning sessions in both Houses were marked by opposition sloganeering and loud protests.

Samajwadi Party members began their march to the Lok Sabha from the gates of Parliament with party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in the lead.

They entered the House raising slogans ‘Kendra sarkar hosh mein aao, JPC banao’.

As soon as Speaker Meira Kumar assumed her seat, opposition members led by the AIADMK, rushed to the well and were soon joined by those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and some other parties.

Congress members too waved placards and raising slogans against Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

As the din continued, Kumar adjourned the House till Friday.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes.

Opposition BJP and AIADMK members rushed to the well of the house, demanding the setting up of a JPC to probe the 2G spectrum issue.

As the uproar persisted, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till Friday.

The Winter Session of Parliament began on November 9 and has witnessed repeated adjournments over the opposition’s insistence for a JPC probe into the scam, even after A. Raja resigned as Communications and IT Minister last Sunday. (ANI)