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| Politics
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| Coal controversy: |
| Coal controversy: Attack, don't be defensive, said Sonia Gandhi to MPs
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| INDIA
, 23-August-2012
4:37:14 AM |
| After a cacophonous BJP paralysed Parliament for the third day in a row, demanding the Prime Minister's resignation over what is being called "Coal-gate", Congress president Sonia Gandhi sent out a tough message to her MPs saying, don't be defensive, attack.
The BJP says it will accept nothing less than the resignation of Dr Manmohan Singh for allegedly allowing private firms to gain thousands of crores because they were sold hugely under-priced coal fields. It has so far said no to the Congress-led government's offer that the PM will make a statement on the matter, which can be debated on the floor of Parliament. The BJP has said it will not allow Parliament to get to work till Dr Singh accepts responsibility for "Coal-Gate" and quits, a possibility shot down by the ruling Congress as "preposterous."
Each hour of Parliament in session costs Rs. 25 lakh. So over the last two days, two crores have been wasted.
Today, both Houses were adjourned within minutes and sources said Sonia Gandhi had a clear message for her party. Sources quoted her as saying, "We don't need to be defensive. It is wrong. We must attack. They (the BJP) cannot take people for granted."
Congress ally Mamata Banerjee, who is in Delhi, has suggested an all-party meeting to find sort out differences. She said that in the democratic process that Parliament functioning was, "the Opposition has full right to raise issues," but also said that "there should be a full debate on it." Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari has met with representatives of different parties, where some leaders suggested that the Prime Minister meet the Leader of the Opposition from both the Houses. That meeting was inconclusive. Speaker Meira Kumar is expected to hold an all-party session shortly for the Lok Sabha.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha, has said he will speak to all leaders, including the Leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj, to break the deadlock. Mr Shinde reiterated today that the PM is ready to speak on the issue in a discussion in Parliament.
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