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A solution to end the impasse in Parliament appeared nowhere in sight as the government and the Opposition stuck to their positions on the reasons for the disruptions.
Though the Centre has convened an all-party meeting on the matter on Monday, the Congress has ruled out a truce, saying there was no meaning sitting together without a tangible proposal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose arrogance stood against a reconciliation.
Both Houses witnessed repeated adjournments during Friday. Though Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried not to adjourn the House, the Opposition ensu-red that no business is transacted. While the Congress reminded the BJP of its behaviour in Parliament while in the Opposition, the BJP claimed it had been a responsible opposition and its protests based on tangible evidence against UPA politicians.
Putting the onus of the disruptions on the Congress, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu reiterated his party’s stand that there was no need for External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to resign over their alleged role in the LaitGate scandal. Ruling out a discussion of the Vyapam issue, he said a State issue could not be taken up and challenged the Congress to agree for a discussion on the corruption in Congress-ruled States.
Drawing a distinction between LalitGate, the Vyapam scam and corruption scandals during the UPA regime, Naidu said there was no allegation of corruption against the new government. He said the Centre wanted to convene a meeting on Friday, but the Congress retracted at the last moment. “We have contacted several parties and are reaching others,” he said, and added that the Congress was happy at the developments. “Their leaders had said much before the beginning of the session that Monsoon Session will be a washout,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Congress maintained that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the smooth working of Parliament. “We are not interested in mere photo-op, tea and sandwiches. The PM must first tell us what action is being taken on our demands,” he said and added that the “arrogance and obduracy” of the Prime Minister was locking the House from functioning.
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