The Opposition parties have stepped up their attack against the Centre after the Central Bureau of Investigation told the Supreme Court that the Prime Minister’s Office and the Law Minister Ashwini Kumar saw the affidavit on the coal scam submitted in March.
Both the Houses did not transact any business till Friday noon as the Opposition members stormed the Well demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day, while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2.30 pm.
The BJP said the CBI’s fresh affidavit has reinforced their belief that the PM was trying to cover up the coal scam. “BJP is now fully firm on its demand for the resignation of the PM. The CBI affidavit proves that the Prime Minister wanted to save himself from the CBI inquiry using the Law Ministry,” BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
The Congress leadership swung into action with the Prime Minister convening a meeting of the United Progressive Alliance leaders on the issue. It is learnt that the Prime Minister discussed the issue with the leaders. Senior leaders of the Congress also met on the issue. The UPA leadership is of the opinion that there was no need for Aswhini Kumar or the Prime Minister to resign over the issue. “I have done no wrong. The truth will prevail,” Kumar said.
In his affidavit, the CBI Director said the draft status report was shared with Law Minister as desired by him prior to its submission before the Supreme Court. “It was also shared with one Joint Secretary level officer each of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Coal as desired by them,” the fresh affidavit added.