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Rejecting the BJP’s demand for an apology from Rahul Gandhi for raising the alleged corruption in Rafale deal in the public domain, the Congress and other Opposition parties intensified the protests demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the matter. Both the Houses witnessed repeated disruptions over the issue here on Monday.
While Rajya Sabha did not transact any business, the lower house passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition members belonging to Congress, Left and other parties had moved privilege notice against the Centre for the “mistake” in the affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court that the Public Accounts Committee had examined a CAG report on the Rafale deal. The Congress president had alleged earlier that the apex court verdict rejecting a probe on the deal was based on the “misinformation” provided by the Centre to the court.
Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the House that a discussion should be started immediately on a notice he had moved over the issue. Members from the BJP raised slogans demanding the Congress to apologise as the Supreme Court gave a “clean chit.”
Cauvery dispute
Meanwhile, AIADMK and DMK members were also in the well of the House demanding a permanent solution to the Cauvery river dispute.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice on the day. The House also witnessed a verbal spat between the Opposition and ruling party members. BJP members demanded Rahul Gandhi apologise when the Congress members said the PM is corrupt.
The Congress has moved a privilege motion in Lok Sabha too. In his notice, Congress member Sunil Jakhar said the Prime Minister has misled the Supreme Court and Parliament on the Rafale deal.
‘10 burning questions’
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) raised 10 “burning questions” on the deal and said only a JPC can answer it. CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Modi government misled the Supreme Court on the Rafale deal.
“It is crystal clear that neither was the CAG report can be placed in Parliament as required by the Constitution nor can the PAC, examine it,” he said.
He said NSA Ajit Doval was negotiating the deal in paris, violating the processes for such important deals. “Why did the government sign a deal with no sovereign or a bank guarantee?” he asked. “How was the decision announced even before the government accepted that Indian Air Force needed 36 Rafale jets?” he added.
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