A combative Opposition disrupts Rajya Sabha on Day 1

The monsoon session of Parliament is all set for a washout, at least in the Rajya Sabha.

No business was transacted on the first day of the session in the Upper House as the Opposition parties rejected the Government’s offer for a debate on Lalitgate and the Vyapam scam and deaths, and insisted that it can happen only after the resignation of the Ministers and Chief Ministers who are accused in the scams.

The Opposition members reminded the leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley how the BJP had behaved when it was in the opposition between 2004 and 2009. “We have kept our demands very clear. First the Ministers should resign, then there will be discussions, later passage of the Bills followed by investigations,” Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

The Congress’ strategy is to use the confusion and differences within the BJP on the issue of corruption.

The party is likely to take advantage of senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar’s letter to party president Amit Shah saying that the Vyapam scam was a blot on the party’s image. Top leaders of the Congress, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, will lead a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament against the corruption issue. The party has reached out to all political parties for effective floor coordination in both the Houses. The CPI (M) and the Samajwadi Party have also said that a discussion is not possible if the Ministers continue in their posts. “If you are willing for a debate, then why not for investigation? Discussion in Parliament cannot replace investigation. Investigation agency is the creation of Parliament. As long as investigation will continue, Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje cannot remain in office,” CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said. The Biju Janata Dal, however, maintained that it will not be a partner in the joint agitations.

“We do not belong to the Congress chorus,” BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab said.

Earlier, in Parliament, Jaitley said the discussion on the matter can be started immediately. “Please start a discussion immediately. You don’t want a discussion.... You don’t have to press your case for a discussion. I am making an offer and would suggest ... if they want to start a discussion, then start it immediately. If they want a statement from the External Affairs Minister, we are ready for it. Sushma Swaraj will make a statement within five minutes,” Jaitley said.

Swaraj tweeted that she is willing for any debate on the issue. “I am ready for a debate today (Tuesday) itself. I asked Arun Jaitley to convey this to the Rajya Sabha,” she said. The treasury bench members questioned the Opposition’s reluctance to allow a debate on the issue.

Deputy leader of the Congress Anand Sharma pointed out that the BJP had disrupted the entire proceedings of a session on the 2G issue despite the resignation of the concerned Minister, when the party was in the Opposition. Sharma criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter.

He said during the election campaign, Modi had promised transparency and accountability in governance. All the Opposition parties had given separate notices for a discussion on corruption issues.