New Delhi: Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party along with the
Left and the Telugu Desam Party will hold a dharna outside Parliament
today against the logjam in the House. Yesterday, in added headache for
the Congress, the three joined hands to seek an investigation into the
coal allocation issue under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.The parties want that the Houses be allowed to function and a debate be held on the controversial allocation of coal blocks that the government's auditor says has caused a loss of Rs. 1.86 lakh crore to the national exchequer. For the seventh day yesterday, Parliament was adjourned early for the day. The Lok Sabha however managed to pass two Bills before chaos forced an adjournment.
Mulayam Singh Yadav's party had earlier demanded an explanation from the government on the coal block allocations, but stopped short of embarrassing the Congress by aligning with the BJP on the issue. It reportedly turned down a BJP invitation to attend a meeting of opposition parties to discuss strategy on the issue. The SP has bailed out the Congress-led UPA, which has tenuous numbers in the Lok Sabha, on numerous occasions over crucial matters.
But this time it's clearly different. The Congress now effectively faces two fronts on the coal allocation issue, even as whispers get louder that a new front which includes the Left and Mulayam Singh Yadav is emerging. Last month, Mr Yadav had written a letter to the Prime Minister urging him not to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail. The letter also bore the signatures of leaders of the Left parties and the Janata Dal (Secular).
Then there is the BJP-led NDA, that wants these coal block allocations cancelled. The main Opposition party has said it will protest on the issue in 40 cities today. The BJP is adamant that it will not allow Parliament to function till the Prime Minister owns moral responsibility for what is being called "Coal-gate"; it says that many of the allocations between 2004 and 2009 were made when Dr Singh held charge of the Coal Ministry and so the PM has direct responsibility and must resign. In that demand it has now managed to consolidate the support of its partners in the NDA, especially the Janata Dal (United).
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said yesterday, "If the PM takes moral responsibility, it will pave the way for peace in Parliament. Coal blocks were easier to get than a rail ticket; the government should start a mineral policy, which should start with the cancellation of the present coal block."
To Mulayam Singh Yadav's demand for an investigation, the Congress' Ambika Soni said, "You can't just demand probes out of thin air. Everyone wants to resolve issue, bring people to justice. But all that will happen only if there is a discussion." The Congress contends that in saying it is ready to discuss and debate the coal block allocations in any form in Parliament, it has broken with convention to make the best possible offer.
Reiterating the party's stand, spokesperson Manish Tiwari said, "We demand that Parliament be allowed to function, we are prepared to debate any issue. Whether coal blocks should be cancelled or not should be decided only after a proper procedure. All issues can be discussed inside the House. We want a debate, but the BJP is avoiding it."
From: NDTV
