Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed acrimony for the second day over the developments in West Bengal. Almost all the parties in the Opposition raised slogans against the Centre for allegedly misusing the CBI against political opponents. The Left parties, however, did not join the chorus and argued that it is not an issue of Centre-State relations and the guilty behind the Ponzi schemes must be punished.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Trinamool Congress, the Samajwadi Party and Congress members stormed to the well of the House demanding that the Centre stop interfering in the affairs of States. “Save Constitution, Save Nation,” they said. Deputy Chairman Harivansh urged the Opposition to cooperate so that a discussion on the motion to thank the President for his address in Parliament can be taken up. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel argued that the Supreme Court has already issued a direction and there is no point in taking up the matter in Parliament. However, disruptions continued and the House was later adjourned for the day.
In the Lok Sabha too, the Opposition created ruckus during a debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address. The House witnessed repeated adjournments till 4 pm.
CPI(M) lauds SC order
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and senior leader Mohammed Salim said the Supreme Court showed both the BJP and the TMC their place and accused the BJP and the Congress of “sharing the spoils” of the chit fund scam.
Yechury said the CBI was not acting suo moto. “When the judiciary orders the CBI to investigate a case, CBI’s movement in any State or territory cannot be construed as an attack on the authority or the powers of the State government. If the CBI suo moto takes action and investigates without permission of the State government, that would be a violation,” he said.